It’s day one of Lismore’s latest lockdown and the news from local health authorities is that there were no new Covid cases reported in the health district to 8pm last night.

So far, so good. It’s a different story across the State however, with 1,284 new locally acquired cases yesterday and 12 deaths.

Lismore is also no longer included in the newly reopened 'border bubble' with Queensland.

Read more news: Lockdown leaves caravan park and travel confusion

Read more Covid news: New venues of concern identified in Lismore and Coraki

Yesterday there were more than 1,000 tests conducted in the Northern NSW Local Health District. 

NNSWLHD acting chief executive Lynne Weir said called on locals to continue to get tested.

"We need to determine the extent of the risk and detect any further potential COVID-19 cases in our area and call on the communities to come forward for testing in large numbers," she said. 

"A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if the current stay-at home orders for Lismore are extended beyond one week. 

"We’d like to remind the community that there is a new drive-through testing at Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre (GSAC), 50 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah. This clinic also accepts walk-ins. 

"The clinic will be open from 8am to 4pm Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September at this stage."

Read more: GSAC drive-thru testing to operate this weekend

New home quarantine trial begins

The NSW Government Gladys Berejiklian reported today that a new seven-day home quarantine trial is about to begin – with the intent to phase out the need for hotel quarantine for vaccinated people arriving in Australia from overseas.

Ms Berekilian said the new quarantine method would allow the government to increase quotas of people allowed to enter Australia - and could see more Aussies home in time for Christmas.

The trial will run over four weeks and will involve 125 people who have been double vaccinated.

It will include Qantas airline staff and people in different age groups across regional and metropolitan NSW – as well as those living in different accommodation types, such as houses, units and apartments.

The NSW Premier said “Australia must reopen and engage with the globe again”.

The trial will involve testing location technology on phone apps, in order to identify what will and won’t work as a home monitoring system.

“We want to identify ways to change the future of quarantine,” she said.

The Premier said there will still be a need for hotel quarantine for some people – including those unvaccinated.

Moderna vaccine

She also said that next week the Moderna vaccine will be available in NSW for 12 to 15year olds to get vaccinated.