Tamworth lockdown: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces city will go into lockdown from 5pm on Monday for 7 days

TAMWORTH local government area will go into a snap seven-day lockdown from 5pm, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirms. From 5pm tonight, all residents should stay at home unless they absolutely need to leave for essential reasons, such as shopping; medical appointments; a vaccination or a COVID-19 test; or essential work. Residents cannot have visitors to their home, including family or friends. It comes as public health officials identified five Tamworth locations as exposure sites, including the Inland Cafe, the Tudor Hotel, Gloria Jeans Coffee, Super Vape Store Tamworth and Ampol Roadhouse at Hillvue on Goonoo Goonoo Road. Ms Berejiklian said there are no positive cases identified in the Tamworth region yet, but a person from Newcastle had travelled to the city, so the lockdown would be in place as a precaution. "Unfortunately someone from Newcastle went to Tamworth," she said. Public health physician Dr Kerry Chant said the Tamworth lockdown was related to a young woman exposed in Newcastle. "[She] then travelled to Tamworth on the evening of the fourth, arriving on the fifth," she said. "She attended a number of venues and anyone who has been to these venues is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days. "She then returned to Newcastle on August 5." Dr Chant said the person who travelled to Tamworth did not know that she was infectious at the time, she is now back in Newcastle and isolating. "We need those high testing rates and obviously the action is in place from 5pm today, but we would like everyone to consider limiting their movements before that," she said. Anyone who has been to the following venues at the specified times is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate immediately for 14 days: People who have been to the following venues at the specified times are considered casual contacts and should get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result: The young woman from Newcastle returned on August 5, which is why there are no further exposure sites at this time. The Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) has been confirmed as a new drive-through testing site from midday. Both drive-throughs will open 8am to 5pm seven days a week. Read also: More advice is expected to be given about schools in the Tamworth LGA. Cars were banked up to Bridge Street at the COVID-19 testing clinic at the Plain Street carpark near Riverside Fields and at about 9:30am, and Tamworth Regional Council has closed Carter Street due to high traffic. Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the lockdown is hoped to prevent COVID-19 spreading through the community. "This decision is based on health advice and will keep our community safe," he said. "I want to thank the hundreds of people who have come forward for testing already in Tamworth. "We are now increasing testing availabilities and improve wait times in Tamworth including opening up a new testing clinic at the AELEC from midday today. "We are a resilient community who support each other in the toughest of times and I know that we will get through this." Media will be given an update on the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Tamworth from mayor Col Murray, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Oxley Police District Superintendent Kylie Endemi at midday. The Leader will provide an update as soon as possible. It comes as 283 new COVID-19 cases were identified across the state in the 24 hours to 8pm, with renewed calls from the premier for the public to get tested with 133,000 tests Ms Berejiklian said 64 people were infectious in the community to 8pm yesterday and sadly overnight a woman in her 90's died in palliative care. Laverty Pathology drive-through COVID-19 screening Tamworth Respiratory Clinic Or, talk to your GP about getting a referral to pathology for a COVID-19 test, Douglas Hanly Moir is an option but bookings are required. Laverty Pathology drive-through COVID-19 screening Gunnedah Respiratory Clinic - Ochre Health Quirindi testing clinic Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: