Glen Innes Severn mayor Carol Sparks encourages town to stay safe amid COVID-19 lockdown 'rollercoaster ride'

That's the view of mayor Carol Sparks, who described the snap lockdown announcement for her local government area on Friday afternoon as a "rollercoaster ride".

"We were half expecting it to happen and when we weren't mentioned on the 11 o'clock [NSW Health update] we got quite a surprise," she told the Leader.

Hunter New England Health (HNEH) confirmed the Glen Innes local government area would be plunged into lockdown from 6pm on Friday, September 17, for seven days.

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A panel of health experts urgently met on Friday and advised the risk of COVID-19 to the community called for a snap stay-at-home order.

The decision came after a positive case of the COVID-19 Delta variant was discovered in Glen Innes, sparking exposure sites to crop up across the town, as well as one in Tamworth and another in Moonbi.

It is understood the case spent up to three days in the community while potentially infectious.

But, Cr Sparks said "poor communication" caused anxiety when residents thought they may have escaped a lockdown, until it was suddenly announced just hours before the rules came into force.

"It's just a rollercoaster ride," she said.

"I think that just adds to the anxiety - one minute you're okay and the next minute you're not."

Cr Sparks said the most important thing was keeping the people of Glen Innes safe.

"It's just totally dangerous," she said.

"There's been a bit of complacency because we have been lucky - this is a real alert for people to get tested and get vaccinated as soon as we can.

"We've got to stay safe and adhere to the health directions."

She praised every community member who had been tested in town recently and encouraged locals to keep it up.

HNEH confirmed the Glen Innes LGA and anyone who has been there since Monday, September 13, is subject to the stay-at-home order.

The rules are the same as those for the most recent lockdown, and a full list is on the NSW Health website.

"A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if these stay at home orders are extended beyond one week," a HNEH statement said.

"High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community."

Vaccination is about to get easier not far from Glen Innes, in Tamworth.

The Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service will hold six Pfizer walk in clinics across six locations in four towns.

They will start in Tamworth later this month.

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