With neighbouring Kyogle now under Stay at Home Orders until October 11 - and Southern Cross University closed for deep cleaning following new Covid cases - will Lismore continue to escape lockdown? Read more: SCU closes Lismore campus after positive COVID-19 case

While we are still free to travel, the changing map of where is okay to travel to on any given day can be frustrating for Lismore residents.

Especially if you have avoided Byron and Tweed because of their recent lockdowns – only to discover that your recent visit to Kyogle means you now have to isolate and get tested.

See the map and read more about which areas you can and can't travel to in NSW: Police urge motorists to slow down and stay safe over long weekend

Covid statistics

The latest report from the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) shows reported five new confirmed Covid cases in our district to 8pm yesterday, bringing the total number of active cases in Northern NSW to 14. 

Across NSW, there were 864 new locally acquired Covid cases – with 210 in intensive care and 104 requiring ventilation.

There were also 17 deaths across the State yesterday - of those, nine were not vaccinated.

Local cases

NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir said of the five new local cases, one case is in Casino, two in the Kyogle region, and one in the Tweed region. They all are linked to the Kyogle cluster.

“One new case is in Byron Bay and is a household contact of the previously reported case in Byron Bay,” Ms Weir said. 

“Contact tracing and investigations are currently under way, and information about any new public exposure venues will be provided as soon as possible.”

Ballina sewage concerns

Sewage surveillance has detected fragments of the COVID-19 virus in samples taken from the Ballina sewage treatment plants. 

“This is of concern as there are no confirmed cases in the Ballina area,” Ms Weir said.

“The Ballina sewage treatment plant serves around 31,000 people in the Ballina region. 

There were 7,990 tests in the week ending 28 September. We continue to encourage residents and visitors to be vigilant for symptoms and get tested as soon as they feel unwell.  

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include a runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhoea or muscle aches.