With COVID-19 cases getting worse every day, yet more NSW LGAs have been added to the very long list of places under lockdown – including Byron Bay. How does it feel being lumped up with the rest of us?
The Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shire LGAs are all going into lockdown tonight, with the same restrictions that have already been implemented across Greater Sydney and other regional areas in NSW.
From 6pm tonight:
- Stay-at-home orders will apply to all residents of those areas, plus anyone that visited there on or before 31 July.
- Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.
- No visitors are allowed from outside the household, including family and friends.
- However, as per current restrictions in Greater Sydney, people are allowed one visitor at one time to fulfil carer’s responsibilities, provide some kind of care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons (like if you are in a relationship with someone but don’t live with each other).
BREAKING: Northern Rivers to be locked down at 6pm for 7 days. Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina. Same rules as Greater Sydney, no school. @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/8J6sIUPGNX
— Chris O’Keefe (@cokeefe9) August 9, 2021
People also cannot *enter* the Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shire LGAs without a reasonable excuse either, so for those of you thinking of yeeting there from other areas for a quick escape, think again.
The restrictions are largely the same as everywhere else in NSW or Greater Sydney, aside from eight hotspot LGAs in Sydney, and are currently expected to be lifted on Tuesday, 17 August. Eight days isn’t too bad, right? Sigh.
All adult Aussies (yep, even if those of us under 40) are currently able to get the safe and effective AstraZeneca vaccine through a GP. Click here to see which clinics are offering it, and talk to a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Alternatively, you can triple-check to see if you’re eligible for the Pfizer vaccine here.
The best vaccine is the first one you can get, and that’ll be our ticket out of this mess.
