On day one of Lismore’s release from the latest lockdown, there’s no news of any Lismore-based Covid cases.However, the Northern NSW Local Health District reported one new Covid case yesterday in the Tweed LGA, which is linked to a known case in the ACT. Across NSW, there were 1063 new cases yesterday and six deaths – four of whom were not vaccinated.As we move in and out of lockdowns, the rules about what we can and can’t do keep changing. So, the Lismore App has a reminder of which NSW Government rules apply to Lismore LGA at the moment.THE RULES REMINDER:As of 12.01am today, Thursday 23 September, the following rules will be in place: GATHERINGS IN THE HOME AND PUBLIC SPACESUp to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.VENUES INCLUDING HOSPITALITY, RETAIL AND GYMSHospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.SCHOOLSSchools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.STADIUMS, THEATRES AND MAJOR OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIESMajor recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seatedWEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND PLACES OF WORSHIPUp to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.TRAVELCaravan parks and camping grounds can open.Carpooling will be permitted.MASKSMasks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

With Lismore coming out of lockdown at midnight tonight - and new venues of concern appearing every day, the question could be asked - are we opening up again too soon? Read more: BREAKING NEWS: Lismore to come out of lockdown tonight With school holidays upon us and our neighbouring LGAs of Byron and Tweed under Stay at Home Orders for seven days, where will any potential holiday makers travel to now that their coastal holiday destinations are in a lockdown?To add to the rapidly changing Covid landscape of open and closed regional areas, today a Covid positive case was confirmed to have visited Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island in Ballina LGA. Read more: Covid case visits Wardell and Cabbage Tree IslandTravellers, holidays and lockdowns Yesterday's lockdown in Byron and Tweed LGAs was announced after a film crew member of the Tv show 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here', travelled up from Sydney to work in the region – and was found to be Covid positive.The person had visited multiple venues across Byron and Tweed regions and had not used QR codes to check in. Today, more venues of concern in Byron were released by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).The venues just released are:Read more: New venues of concern for Byron and KingscliffCovid case charged for breaching health ordersIn the NSW Premier’s press conference this morning, the Premier said that the individual responsible for triggering the Byron lockdown had been charged – and was also double vaccinated.“The person breached health orders and went to multiple venues,” Ms Berejiklian said. “I’m really glad the police have charged them.”When asked about whether the person’s vaccinations were effective and why the two LGAs were plunged into lockdown so quickly, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said “this person’s second dose was recent and may not have taken full effect”.“We can get breakthrough infections in those double vaccinated, but vaccination does reduce your chance of passing it on,” she said.“The venues the person went to are high risk – and the area has low vaccination coverage, so we have taken a precautionary approach.”Vaccine hesitancyWith a lower than State average rate of Covid vaccinations, Dr Chant said Byron LGA was one of the areas being assessed by the government to work how to change the minds of the vaccine hesitant population.“Maybe the Byron population needs be convinced by science,” she said. “There’s lots of misinformation on social media –and I encourage people to go to reputable sources to get their vaccine information.”The Premier said the Covid cases visiting the Byron area and triggering the lockdown could be what the community needed to change their minds about vaccines.“When communities experience the disease, it brings them into sharper focus - and also a warning that noone can be complacent.”New Byron venues of concern A NNSWLHD spokesperson said anyone who attended the Byron or Tweed venues of concern at the times listed is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until they get a negative result.“If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules given to you by Health staff, whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website."

Lismore Local Government Area will come out of lockdown tonight at midnight.Read more Covid news: Covid case visits Wardell and Cabbage Tree IslandRead more news: Is Lismore opening too soon? New venues of concern listed in ByronIt’s the good news we have all been waiting for, since being plunged into this latest seven day lockdown last week.NSW Health said that Stay at Home orders are also lifted for the Albury LGA and thanked the Lismore and Albury communities for their co-operation and for coming forward for testing in large numbers. "However, these LGAs will continue to operate under some restrictions to ensure community safety," a NSW Health statement said. "We need all people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms."High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community."

Alyce Benson was devastated when Lismore’s latest lockdown was called at 6pm Thursday.As manager of Stepz Fitness 24 hour gym at Lismore Central Shopping Centre, her plans for the business’ first birthday celebrations this Saturday came crashing down – now postponed for a second time, as another Covid lockdown period rolls through.It’s been a challenging and frustrating year for the health, wellness and fitness industry – which is reliant on working with people, often in group settings.Despite the challenges, local fitness business owners and mangers Kate Cairnduff, Matt George and Alyce Benson have stepped up and used their Covid downtime to create online resources and deliver online classes.ZoomAlyce said that during lockdown, she was running live Zoom classes four days a week to keep members active, engaged and motivated, as well as online one-on-one personal training sessions.“Members also had access to an online fitness workout platform that we created as well with lots of classes they could choose from,” she said.“Since we opened a year ago, we have had such an amazing response from the community.“Our memberships have been growing month by month and it's so great to see so many people working on their health and fitness goals.”As far as keeping her staff in jobs, Alyce said the Government’s disaster payments gave employees income from week to week, so they were not stressing about how they would survive.You can visit the Stepz website at https://stepzfitness.com.au/location/gym-lismore Fitness Manouvers Fitness Manouvers owner, Kate Cairnduff, opened her boutique personal training studio on Dawson Street in November last year - after the last lockdown.Almost a year later, she’s coming out of a five week lockdown - only to head back into another one, less than a week later.“I’m disappointed and extremely frustrating as a small business owner,” Kate said. “But my business was born out of a Covid lockdown. “I always was aware it needed to be Covid compliant - with social distancing, air flow and one on one training.”During the last lockdown, Kate used the time to develop an online training program for her clients, Called Fitness by Kate.“It has audio assistance and I talk to them as they work out,” she said. “The first day I offered it, I had 15 people jump in.”While Kate kept busy through lockdown, she said the financial hit she took was massive.“I went from an income based on over 60 clients a week to living on the government’s JobSaver subsidy,” she said.“It gave me peace of mind and helped me to keep paying my mortgage, business rent, insurance and electricity costs.” Beyond Blue It wasn’t all easy sailing though. Kate said there some pretty stressful moments when she wondered if and when she would get to reopen her business again.“I took up a free Beyond Blue six-week counselling course,” she said. “It was the best thing I’ve done. As a business owner, it helps you to help you deal with anxiety, depression and the feeling of being overwhelmed.Her advice to other business owners is: It’s alright to ask for help.“Business is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a brick wall – if you are doing something you love, you should get tools and strategies to deal with those stresses - passion is the easy bit. Business awards Kate’s Fitness Manouvers business was given a highly commended in micro-business award in the recent Chamber of Commerce 2021 Lismore App Business Awards.Kate said her business was all about building relationships and creating a safe space for people to come, be healthy and keep moving.Her motto is “ make movement your new normal”.“I have NDIS clients and people aged 15 to 80 year old coming to see me for personal training sessions,” she said.“Everyone wants to be healthy and move – it’s not about beauty – it’s about being able to sit at your laptop and function in day to day life and with the self motivation to keep moving.“It’s been a hell of a year, but I’ve done a lot.”You can visit Kate’s website at https://fitnessmanouvers.com/Summit Sports and Fitness Centre  At Goonellbah’s Summit Sports and Fitness Centre, manager Matt George has taken the ongoing lockdowns in his stride.“We’ve been offering free Zoom classes for the whole community,” he said. “We want to keep people positive and moving and keep members engaging with staff.“We’ve also been productive with staff development in lockdown.”Matt said that when the gym opened on Monday this week after the five week close down period, “the place was pumping”.“It was so much fun and everyone was so happy to get out of the house,” he said.“We know this latest lockdown is temporary and like always, we will stay positive and get through it.“We are all hoping we can get back to business as usual after seven days.”Summit has been named as a regional finalist in the Chamber of Commerce 2021 Lismore App Business Awards and will go on the big NSW business awards to be held later this year.You can visit the Summit website at https://summitcentre.com.au/

Staying in caravan parks when a lockdown is announced has been a confusing experience for recent visitors to Lismore.When stay at home orders were brought into place in the Lismore LGA at 6pm last night, a group of visitors who left Lismore earlier this week wanted to know what they should do now that they had moved on to another LGA.So, they rang Service NSW and asked.Read the latest Covid update: Covid update: Lismore's latest lockdown - day 1 They were told a number of confusing things that made them worried.They were told:If you are in a caravan park you must not emerge from the caravan (or tent) for the duration of the stay.Visits to the site bathrooms or toilets are permitted, but with no interaction with any other person.Shopping for food, fuel & essentials is permitted - only one person.On leaving the caravan site, you must have evidence of your stay duration - and proof to show police that you are heading to another site straight away.If you have bikes with you, they are not to be used, as that is recreation, not exercise.Being double vaccinated is immaterialIf you are stopped by police and are unable to give a reasonable explanation of your travelling reasons, you can be fined.This applies for 14 days, unless Lismore’s lockdown lifts earlier. The Lismore App decided to investigate these guidelines and rang Service NSW today. A Service NSW operator said that the NSW Government stay at home rules do apply to people who have been in the Lismore LGA since September 7.The operator then checked the NSW Health website for guidelines about caravans while on the phone to the Lismore App.He said there were no specific rules listed about caravan park stays, but there were guidelines about holiday short term rental stays.He said the rules are “pretty open”, but in general, you need to follow the stay-at-home rules, which means you can still purchase food and go out for exercise.“The stay at home rules are not isolation rules – which apply if you have been in contact with anyone who is a close contact of a Covid case,” the operator said.It also means you CAN ride your bike, as it is considered exercise and a form of transport.The operator did stress that if you are away from your accommodation that you need to carry a mask, your ID and proof of where you are staying.“If the police stop you, you will need to show them proof and say why you are out,” the operator said. “It’s up to police interpretation of what is ‘out and about’.”A Lismore resident who is a friend of the recent visitors said that on three different phone calls to Service NSW, three different responses to the same questions about caravan park stays were given – from three different operators.It seems that while the NSW Health website has fairly comprehensive guidelines for what we can and cannot do in challenging Covid times, it does not necessarily have every situation covered.Police discretion and travel restrictions The Lismore App also asked for clarification on travel guidelines from the head of the Richmond Police District – Superintendent Scott Tanner. When essential workers such as police officers and medical staff live outside an LGA in lockdown (such as Lismore), what is the procedure to get to Lismore for work from a different LGA each day?  “If they live in a different LGA then they must abide by the stay at home orders whilst home” Supt Tanner said.“From my reading of the health order we are a stay at home area and not an area of concern.“Stay at home means you can travel across LGAs to work if you cannot work from home, regardless of occupation. “If you live in an area of concern i.e. the 12 LGAs in Greater Sydney area, then that is when you must apply for permits and be tested.“Police are appealing to the community to abide by the conditions of the Public Health Order,” Supt Tanner said.“This current lockdown is for seven days.“To give us the greatest chance to come out of the lockdown after this time we must limit the amount of community interaction.“Police will be making regular patrols of our public spaces to ensure compliance.“It is evident in the Public Health Order that proof of vaccination is required and must be presented to police for inspection of required to do so.“We are asking the community to use common sense and work with us to ensure we all get through this latest lockdown as quickly and as safely as possible.”Read more: Stay at home orders and lockdown travel rules explained

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 CorakiYesterday 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 weekendNew 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.

Less than a week into our newfound freedoms, stay-at-home orders again come into place in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA), for seven days from 6pm today.The Lismore App looks at what we might expect and what the current rules are for Lismore - particularly for travel - as the lockdown affects only the Lismore LGA - not the surrounding LGAs of Richmond Valley, Ballina, Byron and Tweed Shire. Read more news: Lockdown leaves caravan park and travel confusion Read more news: BREAKING NEWS: Lismore to go into lockdown from tonightThe lockdown has been triggered by a Covid positive person who returned to Lismore LGA and stay-at-home orders apply to anyone who has been in Lismore since September 7.Today, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the seven day lockdown was only a start. We could expect the lockdown to be extended longer, depending on what happens with community transmission rates.Venues of concern and misinformationOver the coming days, NSW Health is expected to release more Lismore venues of concern that were visited by the Covid case.Today, one group page on social media was reported to have said that Silly Solly’s - one of the two current Lismore venues of concern - was no longer listed as a concern.NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro today said this was untrue - and it was a timely reminder for people to look to the NSW Health website as their trusted source of information, not social media.Read more: Covid case visits local op shop - authorities release Lismore venues of concernTravel rules With at least seven days of lockdown ahead, what are we allowed to do during this period, especially if you live outside Lismore LGA, but work in Lismore?If you live in Lismore LGA, you must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home. Mr Barilaro said anyone travelling from another LGA (such as from Ballina or Casino) to Lismore, will be subject to the same seven-day, stay-at-home orders as apply to Lismore residents, upon their return home. Anyone who needs to enter Lismore LGA for work will need to register for travel. You do not need to register your travel to provide an emergency service. Rules apply to anyone who does get a permit to enter a lockdown area - including mandatory Covid testing.School holidaysWith school holidays coming up, Mr Barilaro’s advice to those who live outside the Lismore LGA is “this is not the school holidays to go and have a holiday”.“Stay home and don’t risk getting exposed - this will minimise the risk of transmission and the chance of more lockdowns,” he said.Rules for fully vaccinated peopleLismore residents who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation as long as all of those aged 16 or older are fully vaccinated. You must have proof of your vaccination with you at all times, and you must show a Police Officer your proof of vaccination if its requested. Fully vaccinated means you have had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccination or have a medical contraindication certificate issued to you.You can visit the MyGov website and go to Medicare to get your proof of vaccination if you want to go out on group of five people.Other rules and restrictions while in lockdownFace masksYou must carry a face mask with you at all times and wear a face mask when you are outside in a public place - including on a street or at a park, queuing outside a cafe or shop to collect take away food or drink or walking on a street near shop fronts.in all indoor areas of non-residential premises, including workplacesif you are on public transport or in a public transport waiting areaif you are working in a hospitality venuein indoor and outdoor areas of worksites, except when an exemption applies such as when wearing a face mask creates a safety issue or there is a worksite emergencywhen working in an outdoor area. There are limited exceptions, such as where you are:eating and drinkingin a vehicle with members of your household or your nominated visitor (‘singles bubble’)exercisingin an emergency situation. Visitors to a residenceGenerally, visiting another person is not a reasonable excuse to leave your home.You must not allow a person to visit your home, except if it is:for permitted work for childcareto give effect to arrangements between parents and children under 18 or their siblingsto assist a person to move places of residenceto avoid an injury or serious risk of harmbecause of an emergencyto view or inspect property to lease or purchase it.Socialising isn’t a reasonable excuse to have visitors or leave home unless you live on your own. If you do live on your own, your nominated visitor can visit you.Nominated visitor ("singles bubble")If you live alone – which means, there are no other adults who live in the same home – you can have a nominated visitor. You do not need to register your nominated visitor. A nominated visitor is one person you can socialise with at your place of residence who:can only be one person (and their dependent children, if there are no alternative care arrangements)can visit you on more than one occasionis not a nominated visitor for another personlives in a stay-at-home area in regional NSWCaring and compassionate visitsYou can visit a home, and have a person visit your home, for caring and compassionate reasons including:providing care to vulnerable peoplevisiting a person you are in a relationship with but do not live with. Only one person may visit a place of residence at any one time to:provide care or assistance to vulnerable people and/orfor compassionate reasons.Two people may visit a place of residence to fulfil carers’ responsibilities but only if:it is necessary to provide safe care to a person who is resident at the dwellingthey remain at the residence for a minimum time to provide safe care to the person.You may bring a dependent child with you if they need supervision and childcare arrangements are not reasonably available.When visiting, you may be asked to provide information to NSW Police about your visit. You must comply with all other requirements of the rules.Temporary or holiday accommodationIf you are staying in temporary accommodation in a local government area where the stay-at- home rules apply, including in short-term or holiday accommodation, you may stay at your accommodation until your booking expires.When your booking expires, you may leave your accommodation to return to:your place of residence orother accommodation.While you are staying in your temporary or holiday accommodation, you must continue to comply with the stay-at-home rules.Real estate auctions and open inspections (including display homes)The following activities must not take place in the local government areas where the stay-at-home rules apply:Auctions that people attend in person (except for the auctioning of food supply, livestock, fibre or crops in regional NSW).Open inspections of properties, including display homes, although inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only.You must follow the stay-at-home rules if you are a real estate agent or a prospective purchaser and you live in, usually work in, or usually attend a university or other tertiary education facility in the local government areas where the stay at home rules apply.Children and parentingUnder the stay-at-home rules, it is a reasonable excuse to leave your home to drop off or pick up children from early childhood education and care services, regardless of where your childcare service is located. 

It's official - the Lismore Local Government Area will go into lockdown from tonight at 6pm. Read more: Stay at home orders and lockdown travel rules explainedLismore will be one of two regional areas to go into lockdown for seven days – along with Albury.Read more Covid news: Covid case visits local op shop - authorities release Lismore venues of concernThe news was delivered at the NSW Government Covid conference today, with a plea for Lismore residents to get tested if they have any symptoms – and to get vaccinated. Read more: Covid drive through testing hub reopens at SCUNSW Health’s Dr Gail said the NSW Health made the decision that the period of lockdown will be seven days "so we can get a handle on what’s going on”.The lockdown comes after one Covid case was identified in Lismore – who had a possible link to Sydney – and who had potentially exposed the Lismore community to Covid.NSW Deputy premier John Barilaro said the Lismore case was a parent who returned to Lismore with a child - and there was exposure at a local school.Read more: BREAKING NEWS! COVID case in Goonellabah Public SchoolBorder bubbleWhen asked how the Lismore Covid case will impact the newly opened border to Queensland, he said “today we will work with Queensland”.“We locked down the Lismore area for the health and protection of the community – now we will work out what happens with the bubble,” he said.Vaccine hesitancyWhen asked if the decision to reactivate stay at home orders in Lismore was based on the region’s hesitancy to get vaccinated, Dr Gail said there were a “suite of factors” at play.She said the main reasons were because there was an active Covid case in the area, but that the higher level of vaccine hesitancy did mean authorities would “have a higher level of caution” when making decisions with regard to Lismore.“But I am confident that the vast majority of the population in that area are embracing vaccination and education themselves and talking to their families,” she said.Read more Covid news: Covid case visits local op shop - authorities release Lismore venues of concernStatisticsYesterday in NSW, 1351 new Covid cases were reported, 12 people died and 10 were not vaccinated.80.1% of the population aged over 16 have received a first dose of vaccine - which equals nearly 8.5 million in total in NSW.48% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Two new venues of concern in Lismore have been identified since yesterday's announcement of a Covid positive case visiting a Goonellbah school - and a third venue has been identified in Evans Head. Read more about it: BREAKING NEWS! COVID case in Goonellabah Public SchoolIf you have been to Silly Solly's on Keen Street from 8.55am to 9am on Tuesday, September 14 - or Lismore's Lifeline shop on Magellan Street from 9.05am to 9.20am on Tuesday, September 14, local health authorities urge to to get tested and self isolate until you receive a negative result.Read more: Covid drive through testing hub reopens at SCUIna statement issued this morning, Northern NSW Local Health District said it had been notified of three new venues of concern associated with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the region.As well as the two Lismore venues, a third venue is Muzza’s Milk Bar on Oak Street, Evans Head - from 1:15pm to 1:45pm on Sunday 12 September.Get tested"NSW Health will send a text message to people who have checked in at contact venues with further information," the statement said. "If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules given to you by Health staff, whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website. "Please get tested even if you have had a test in recent days. If your exposure at this venue was in the past four days, you must get another test on day five from the date of exposure."Wear a mask around others and limit your movements until you get another negative result. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms appear, get tested and isolate again. The Lismore App will keep you informed as the list of venues of concern and relevant health advice is updated as new cases emerge and investigations continue. Testing clinicsThere are four testing clinics in the Lismore area: Lismore Base Hospital - Uralba Street, Lismore, open seven days. Appointments not requiredLismore Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology - 62 Wyrallah Road, Shop 12, Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre, Lismore. Open Monday – Saturday, appointments not required Lismore 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic - 47-49 Dawson Street, Lismore. Open Monday to Friday, appointments not required Southern Cross University Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Drive-through Clinic on Military Road, Southern Cross University, East Lismore. Open Tuesday to Friday, appointments not required. 

Lismore, along with the greater Northern Rivers and Tweed areas will be included in a new ‘border bubble’ with Queensland from 1am Monday, September 13.Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the news this morning, saying the new border zone will apply to 12 Local Government Areas emerging from lockdown tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 12.01am. Read more: Lismore's lockdown to end, but restrictions still apply The border zone between Northern NSW and Queensland will ‘revert’ back to how it was the last time it came into effect – allowing essential workers, schools and those with health needs to cross the border under the same restrictions as previously.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, who has been involved in the Cross Border Taskforce negotiations, said it was a great relief for local communities who have been affected by the border closure.“There will be some conditionality, but more details will be released later by the Premier,” Ms Saffin said.“I’ve been working extremely hard advocating, lobbying and working with colleagues to achieve this.“It’s just terrific and it shows when we work together we can get great results.”

Lismore will come out of lockdown when stay at home orders are lifted at 12.01am, this Saturday, September 11.The good news was announced this morning by NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian who said only parts of regional NSW currently that are deemed ‘low risk’ and have seen zero Covid cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown.Ms Berejiklian said it was a “bitter sweet day for the regions, as some open, some won’t”.The eased restrictions will be applied in regional centres such as Lismore, Byron Bay, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Griffith.Thirty-eight areas in NSW will remain in lockdown due to the risk of COVID-19, including the Central Coast, Upper Hunter, Shoalhaven and Dubbo.Restrictions“You are not coming back to a pre-lockdown environment,” Ms Berejiklian said. “There will continue to be restrictions.“There will be capacity limits and a 4sqm rule in venues, mask wearing and social distancing.“Community sport will not be allowed.“But can get back to shopping and businesses will be able to open,” Ms Berejklian said.“If there is Covid seeding across the regions and there is an active case in your community, you will go back into lockdown for 14 days.“One case is too much in the regions… and sewage surveillance will continue.“Fingers crossed that this level of opening up will give us an ability to get back to normal.”Travel freedomsWhile from Saturday, we can leave our LGA and visit the beach, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said “if you don’t have to travel, don’t travel”.“If you come to Sydney now, then stay at home orders for 14 days will continue to apply when you return home,” he said.Vaccinated freedomsBoth the Premier and the Deputy Premier made it clear that while there is a staged opening of some areas this week, the national roadmap (which will be released in October) will mean some new freedoms will only be on offer to people who are double vaccinated.“The ultimate passport to freedom is vaccination and I don’t want this opening to slow down vaccinations,” the Premier said. “We want to make sure regional and rural NSW continue to get vaccinated.“We can’t afford to have vaccinated people mixing with unvaccinated people. That is where the risk of transmission increases.”Mr Barilaro strongly advised everyone in regional NSW to “get vaccinated as soon as you can”.“Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80%, restrictions can ease significantly,” he said.“At 80% double dose vaccinations, there is a potential opening up to international travel."Any new freedoms for those vaccinated will come into place the Monday after the 80% double dose rate is reached."The following freedoms will be available from Saturday to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have lifted: Gatherings in the home and public spaces: Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.  Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms: Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside. Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule. Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.  Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.  Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.Schools: Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place. Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities: Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people. Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events. Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75% fixed seated capacity.  Weddings, funerals and places of worship:  Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated. Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.  Travel:  Caravan parks and camping grounds can open. Carpooling will be permitted. Masks: Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.  Covid statisticsYesterday, there were 1405 new cases of Covid in NSW and five deaths. 202 people were in ICU and there were 107000 vaccinations, but the rate is declining.Stay-at-home orders will remain in place in the following LGAs: ∙ Bathurst Bega ∙ Blayney ∙ Bogan ∙ Bourke ∙ Brewarrina ∙ Broken Hill  ∙ Cabonne ∙ Central Coast∙ Central Darling∙ Cessnock ∙ Dubbo ∙ Dungog ∙ Eurobodalla ∙ Forbes ∙ Gilgandra ∙ Goulburn Mulwarre ∙ Kiama ∙ Lake Macquarie ∙ Lithgow ∙ Maitland ∙ Mid-Coast ∙ Mid-Western ∙ Muswellbrook ∙ Narrabri ∙ Narromine ∙ Newcastle ∙ Orange ∙ Parkes ∙ Port Stephens ∙ Queanbeyan-Palerang∙ Shellharbour ∙ Shoalhaven ∙ Singleton∙ Snowy Monaro∙ Upper Hunter ∙ Walgett ∙ Wingecarribee 

While residents of Lismore are waiting on tenterhooks for tomorrow’s announcement about whether the statewide lockdown will lift, local businesses are closing - and families are doing it tough.Today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government was polishing off its roadmap to open NSW out of current lockdown restrictions - and any decisions will be based on the guidelines in the Doherty Report, the National Plan and current Covid data.As this yellow brick roadmap toward conditional freedom is built around the target of an 80% vaccination rate, the outcome for our region this week remains unclear.Lift the local lockdownAfter five weeks in lockdown, State MP Janelle Saffin and Lismore Mayor Vanessa are both appealing to the NSW Government for it to end, as scheduled on Friday.State MP Janelle Saffin said she has sent a “lift the local lockdown” letter to the Government after being contacted by “thousands” of locals who don’t understand why the lockdown continues in our region when we have no cases.“The reasons why haven’t been explained well enough to us,” she said.Byron Bay sewageWith Byron Bay sewage testing positive again recently for Covid fragments, and with vaccination rates in the Byron LGA amongst the lowest in the State, will this mean Lismore will also be kept longer in lockdown?“We are all waiting with anticipation, but also apprehension, because the decision is based on what’s happening in Sydney and the Government’s data,” Ms Saffin said.“If the lockdown is not lifted, we want the government to clearly explain the reason why not.”Businesses to close “A couple of business people have said to me the restrictions have been too much, for too long and they will shut their businesses down,” Ms Saffin said.“The Government has an obligation to carry people to keep them in a stable state.Optimism diminished“Last year with Jobkeeper and the small business grants, people had a degree of optimism.“But this year, it’s diminished and businesses that have been struggling don’t have any surplus in their kitty thins time around. They are getting through with Jobsaver or small business grants, but it’s a different feeling that is palpable in the community.”Too longLismore Mayor Vanessa Ekins said like Ms Saffin, she too supported the initial “short sharp lockdown” that was introduced five weeks ago when we knew there were some Covid cases fromSydney that had been active in our community. Read more: Local community concerned over Nimbin close contacts “But five weeks is too long when there have been no cases here,” she said.“Now we need businesses to open and kids should go back to school and interact with their peers and teachers.Business downturn“In Lismore, there’s been a 50 to 80% business downturn and that’s just the ones still open.“There’s no rationale to keep us locked down – and keeping us in extended lockdown will reduce people’s willingness to do it in future.Losing willingness“You need everyone’s cooperation to make lockdown work and the Doherty modelling shows even if we get 80% of the population vaccinated, we will still need lockdowns when outbreaks occur.“The recent Byron Covid fragments are just an indicator - maybe it was just someone passing through doing service delivery. There were some found a few weeks before and we had no community cases reported.“Covid is here to stay, so we need to make sure people have trust – and if they should get tested if they have any symptoms, wear masks and be ready for more lockdowns.”Covid statisticsYesterday there were 1,480 locally acquired cases in NSW1136 are in hospital, 194 in ICU and 78 are on ventilation. Of them, 158 were not vaccinated.

In good news for our region, there are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).But, it’s a different story across the rest of NSW, with a new record high of 1,431 Covid cases reported yesterday.Twelve deaths were also reported, including a Sydney woman in her 30s who died at home after being tested for Covid the previous day. She was not vaccinated.At the NSW Covid update conference today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expects the next two weeks will see this outbreak peak across NSW.“The next fortnight is likely to be our worst in terms of the number of cases," she said."September and October will be the most challenging because we will be dealing with extra hospitalisations and extra ICU hospitalisations."But we're also going through both the exciting but challenging time of opening up."Ms Berejiklian said she understood there were issues with having enough vaccine supplies to get everyone vaccinated.“We are working with the Prime Minister day and night to get more,” she said.Local testing rates downIn the Northern Rovers area, NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir reported that last week (August 22-28), there were 6,712 Covid tests conducted among local residents – it was less than the previous week’s numbers of more than 10,000 tests.Ms Weir urged people to continue to come forward for testing if they have even mild symptoms.  “When it comes to helping us find and respond to any new cases, testing is our best method,” she said. “High rates of testing are critical to detecting transmission and preventing further spread of COVID-19 in the community. “If you are thinking it might be better to wait out symptoms, and see what else happens around you before deciding to get a test, please don’t wait.”“Like any health issue, it’s easier to treat and manage COVID-19, the quicker you receive a diagnosis, so we really encourage people to get tested quickly if they do 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. There are more than 475 COVID-19 testing clinics across NSW. To find one near you, visit The District urges those eligible in the community to continue to come fNo cases in Lismore, but NSW records a new record highorward for vaccination. Please check your eligibility and book at https://www.health.gov.au/.

Don’t call off your wedding yet – because as of tomorrow, Friday, September 3, small wedding ceremonies will be allowed in NSW.New Covid safety rules now means small wedding services will be allowed, but with no gatherings afterwards.Read more news: New Korean dining restaurant opens in lockdownSmall weddings may be held outdoors, but not in domestic households.Premises that can currently be open for a funeral can also be open for a small wedding.Gatherings or receptions following the wedding service are not permitted.Under the Order, a small wedding is a wedding of no more than five guests plus the wedding party (the two people getting married, two witnesses required for the marriage, one person conducting the service, and one person to record the wedding).Wedding restrictionsThere are a number of restrictions concerning who may attend the wedding service:a person who lives in regional NSW can only attend a wedding in Greater Sydney if they are part of the wedding party or the parent, child or sibling of one of the persons getting married;a person who lives in Greater Sydney cannot attend a wedding service, as part of the wedding party or as a guest, outside of Greater Sydney;a person who lives in Greater Sydney, but not in an area of concern, can only attend a wedding in an area of concern if they are part of the wedding party or the parent, child or sibling of one of the persons getting married;a person who lives in an area of concern can only attend a wedding outside the area of concern in which they live if they are part of the wedding party or the parent, child or sibling of one of the persons getting married.Record number of casesThe good news about weddings comes after a record number of Covid cases were reported yesterday in NSW, with 1288 cases of community transmission, and seven deaths. Of the hospitalised Covid cases in NSW, 160 are in ICU and 64 require ventilation.Over the last two days, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has continued to elaborate on what the future might would like as restrictions ease over the next few weeks.MilestoneToday, the Premier announced that NSW is first State to hit the 70% first dose vaccination milestone.“Thanks to people for hearing the messages and coming forward to get vaccinated,” she said.With the target of having 70% of the population fully vaccinated by mid-October arriving faster than hoped, Ms Berejiklian forsees an opening up of international travel for Australians by November - once vaccination rates reach 80%.“Then we can welcome as many Australians home as possible to join their loved ones here in Australia for a happy Christmas,” she said.FreedomsOther freedoms we can expect if vaccination targets are reached include being able to have a meal out or go to a ticketed event.“At 70%, the freedoms are for fully vaccinated people only,” she said.“It is safer for a family to have a meal in a restaurant than having non vaccinated visitors in their own home who may not be vaccinated.”The Premier said that the national plan for the way forward to opening up the country again is being formulated.Once opened up again, she said there will still be restrictions such as: density requirements, QR codes check ins, validation of vaccination and mask wearing some restrictions.“But compared to life now, it will be much better,” she said.NSW/Qld border bubbleWhen it came to the NSW and Queensland border bubble, the Premier placed the responsibility on the Queensland Government.“We know that in Northern NSW, there have been barely any cases in months and that both sides of the border live as one community,” she said.“I hope the Queensland Government considers this and shows compassion and pragmatism."National road mapWith the national road map now under formulation to show the way to open the country back up out of lockdown, Mr Berejiklian said she hopes the States pull together and stick to the national plan, because eventually, every State will have to live and deal with Covid.Local cases Northern NSW Local Health District reported yesterday there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in local district residents. With regard to the areas of concern in Casino, a spokesperson said further investigations revealed that a visitor from outside the District was not a positive COVID-19 case and was notinfectious in the Casino area as originally advised. Read more: Northern NSW LHD declare Casino COVID case was not infectious“Comprehensive contact tracing has established that this person acquired their infection in the days after leaving Northern NSW on Saturday 21 August, upon returning to Sydney.“There is no risk to the community from this person’s presence in the region.“Public Health teams take a precautious approach to risk and possible exposure sites when a case is first identified during initial investigations.  “We appreciate the community’s responsiveness in the wake of these concerns.  “A significant number of people have been tested today at Muli Muli Aboriginal Community. In light of the current COVID-19 outbreak in broad regions of the state, this increased testing is a positive step.  Sewage surveillanceAs part of the ongoing sewage surveillance program providing an extra layer of warning for any undetected cases across NSW, additional sewage treatment plants are being included in the testing program from this week, including sites in Alstonville, Wardell, Evans Head, Coraki, Woodenbong and Kyogle.  NNSWLHD said it will continue to review targeted sites in collaborating with local councils and the NSW Health water unit.  Any positive detections of fragments are reported through the daily NSW Heath updates and online at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx.

Opening a new business in the middle of a Statewide lockdown is no easy task.But it’s a task that a Korean-born foodie - Jerry (as he likes to be called) - took on when he opened Kyeong 109.Read more news: Weddings to go ahead with restrictions as NSW Covid cases hit record highJerry has opened his Korean dining restaurant in the old Fire in the Belly building, at 109 Dawson Street.It’s a labour of love for him – as he’s spend months getting the restaurant interior ready to open, converting the old pizza restaurant into a Korean specialty dining place.Because lockdown Public Health Orders were in place when he opened, Jerry needed to create a special take away only menu, but he intends to offer a much wider menu once he’s able to open the restaurant for sit-in dining.“Many people have been asking me if I will serve Korean barbeque,” Jerry said. “I’m keen to do it – there’s no one else here offering that style of food and I think it will go down well.”Despite lockdown keeping people at home, Jerry said he’s had a steady stream of customers ordering from his take-away menu.“I already have loyal customers because I have been selling food at the Lismore Car Boot Markets for a long time,” he said “My customers have kept supporting me and come here now.”Jerry has lived in Lismore for the past seven years and this is the first time he has opened a restaurant.“I’m excited about it,” he said. "It's been my dream to open this."Kyeong 109 is open Monday to Saturday from 11.30am to 7.30pm. Jerry said he intends to open longer hours once lockdown is over.You can phone to order food on 0423 418 222.

Australia Post is feeling the pressure as the pandemic lockdown continues. With more people staying home and not able to get to the shops in person, it seems the high volume of goods being shipped has brought the national service to its knees.Today, Australia Post announced it will temporarily suspend parcel post collections from eCommerce retailers in NSW.In an email to customers, the service said an increase in online shopping by the 15 million people in lockdown across NSW, ACT and Victoria has put “increased pressure on our network like nothing we have experienced before”.Australia Post said it will suspend Parcel Post collections from customers in NSW, ACT and Victoria from Saturday, September 4 until Tuesday, September 7.“Across the country, we are all managing the sustained challenges of the COVID pandemic,” the email states.“We are also dealing with the impacts of the Delta strain and in any given day, we have close to 500 people out of our workforce, as they follow necessary self-isolation and testing before clearance back to work.“As we manage staff shortages, temporary facility closures, and parcel volumes as high as Christmas peak period, the suspension will help to clear excess parcel volumes due to these impacts.“The safety of our people is our highest priority and this temporary measure will allow us to responsibly clear record volumes in parts of our network.“Our team will be processing all weekend to reduce these volumes to a safe and manageable level and help free up capacity with ULDs and pallets.”Australia Post said lodgements at Post Offices will continue to be collected and Express Post, Premium and Startrack Express services will remain unchanged.“Normal medical shipments (normally lodged Parcel Post) will still be accepted subject to confirmation and by arrangement. We're sorry for the inconvenience.”If you have any important parcels to send or receive, you can check out what the latest impacts on the network are at: http://www.auspost.com.au/service-updates

As flowers bloom and magpies swoop on this first day of Spring, the hotter weather also marks the official start of the bushfire danger season. With it comes a reminder from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) that the Bush Fire Danger Period now applies to the Lismore area.Goolmangar-based RFS group officer Robert Graham remembers well the 2019 bushfires and asks people to follow protocols if they need to light any fires.“As of September 1, people can’t just light a fire,” he said. “Land owners and occupiers must apply for a fire permit to light fires - including hazard reduction fires," he said.“You contact your local Fire Brigade to obtain your free fire permit and follow its conditions."He said you should also contact the fire control officer in Casino to let them know about the fire - and also let your neighbours know - preferably 24 hours before.“If you have anything burning that will be after midnight tonight you must get a fire permit to continue that activity," he said.Goolmangar-based RFS group officer Robert Graham.Grass fires“We are trying hard to educate the public as to the requirements – there have been a number of grass fires recently that we have been called out to.Robert coordinates 11 local brigades in Lismore, Kyogle and Richmond Valley LGAs.He said there are 470 volunteer RFS members in the region, plus 280 new additional firefighters trained to fight fires – and they have already been called out to a number of small fires.“A lot of fires in the past few weeks are false alarms and it’s a waste of time for an RFS member to leave their farm to attend the incident,” he said.“People need to understand that any fire that is reported to 000 will set off the pager of an RFS volunteer– and we have an obligation to respond.What does 2021 fire season hold?Mr Graham said he expected the upcoming fire season won’t be an intense as the 2019-2020 fire season, because that was the result of a 20 year build up and a long dry period.“But, we don’t know what’s going to happen this spring. If it’s drier that the predicted wetter than average season, it could be a problem.“Even if you’ve been using fire for many years, safe burning is your responsibility. “Heavy fines apply for the unsafe use of fire, or if your fire escapes."For more information, visit http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDPRead more about Robert Graham: SUNDAY PROFILE: Goolmangar firefighter Robert Graham awarded Australia Day

Having had no reactions after his first jab of the AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccine, Federal MP Kevin Hogan hopes that after his second dose today, it will be much the same.“I feel fine," he said, as he emerged from Lismore Shopping Square's vaccination clinic.He’s now joined the 33% of Far North Coast residents who have had both doses of vaccine.Read more news: Dates set for school students to get back to classrooms“More than one in two people in our community have had their first dose, and more than one in three have had their second,” he said.When asked if he deliberately chose AstraZeneca over Pfizer, Mr Hogan said AZ he was happy with it.“I am under 60 and could have done either one,” he said. “There’s not much risk for me getting blood clotting – it would have been more dangerous getting on a plane.”More vaccines on the wayThe current long waiting periods for the first doses of vaccine will soon change.Mr Hogan said supplies of Pfizer in the local region are due to double in the next four to six weeks.“From mid-September, we should see a quicker process for people who want to book in to get their jabs,” he said.“Our aim is that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be by the end of this year.“I’ve waited 12 weeks for my second jab of AstraZeneca and Pfizer is only three weeks between doses, so that will really pick up the double doses.”Will we need boosters?When asked if we will all need to have vaccine booster shots after our initial vaccinations, Mr Hogan said boosters will likely be similar to a flu shot, which needs to be updated due to virus variants.While not everyone currently chooses to get a flu shot, The Lismore App asked Mr Hogan if it will be a different situation with the Covid vaccine booster, where personal restrictions will apply if boosters are not taken?“Our advice is that Covid is more dangerous than a flu,” he said. “We have been advised to get people vaccinated then transmission will be lower.“Let’s see what happens. But boosters will be free and voluntary, just like vaccinations.“Going forward, there will be a lot more choice with boosters, as more are approved by the TGA.”Vaccine passports?With greater freedoms already coming into play for those who are vaccinated, Mr Hogan was asked if we will eventually have a uniform passport to prove we are vaccinated.At the moment, if you have been vaccinated, your My Gov account will have a record of your vaccination – and you can also ask for proof of inoculation from the Australian Immunisation Register.  “We are seeing in Australia the strengths and weaknesses of our Federation,” he said.“State governments have different restrictions – but we would like to keep the same uniform rules.“Western Australia and Queensland are running off different rules. If you have been vaccinated, then why are you being stopped from doing anything?“If you can show something and get an exception, we would encourage that.”Ticket to ”normal life”Mr Hogan said being vaccinated “is our ticket back to normal life”. Mr Hogan said.“Once we achieve 70%-80% vaccination we will see less transmission of COVID-19 and fewer people with severe illness. This means restrictions and lockdowns should not be required and our lives can get back to normal.”“I recommend everyone monitor the Clinic Finder website as new clinics and appointments are being added regularly.”To book in for your vaccine or check your eligibility, visit this site: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibilityLatest Covid update for our regionToday, there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).NNSWLHD acting chief executive Lynne Weir said during the week of 15-21 August there were 10,053 tests conducted among local residents, compared to 18,198 the previous week.  “These numbers need to stay high, and I encourage others who may have symptoms to not hesitate in coming forward for testing. It’s one of the simplest things you can do to help your close circle and our wider community.  “The more our community gets tested, the better chance we have of finding any new cases quickly, which helps make the work of our health teams easier and provides us with a more complete picture of the current outbreak.  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. To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP. The current stay-at-home orders in regional NSW have been extended by two weeks, until at least 11:59pm on 10 September, in line with existing orders for the Greater Sydney area.  Rule and restrictionsThe restrictions for regional NSW are available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid 19/rules/affected-regions.  “Please stay home, and only leave your home if you have a reasonable excuse. Do not travel outside your local area if you can avoid it,” Ms Weir said.  “When you go out for essential shopping or work, you should consider that others you come into contact with may have the virus and not know it. “You need to carry a face mask with you at all times, and wear a mask if you are outdoors in a public place, as well as working outdoors. When indoors, masks are required in all non-residential settings, public transport and venues. “We shouldn’t forget the fundamental public health measures that are so key to our safety at the moment. “These are simple actions like staying 1.5 metres away from others, washing your hands regularly or using hand sanitiser, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and staying at home when sick.”

Young people will be back in the classrooms, learning face to face in October, under a staged plan announced today by the NSW Government.Hailed as a ‘clear road map’, students will be allowed to resume face to face teaching at schools from October 25 – beginning with Kindergarten and Year 1 students.Year 6 and Year 11 students will follow on November 8, followed by all remaining year groups in November.NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said from October 25, Year 12 students facing the HSC examinations will also see an increase in allowed face to face learning hours.In high schools, mask wearing will be mandatory for all school staff and students, while in primary schools, mask wearing will be strongly encouraged for younger students.It will also be mandatory for all school staff to be vaccinated from November 8.Minister Mitchell also announced that level 3 restrictions will be in place at schools – which means there will be no large gatherings or assemblies and minimal mingling allowed between students.There will also be no band or choir practice allowed.“NESA has advised there will be a delayed start of HSC examinations until November 9 and a new timetable of how this will proceed will be released in September,” she said“We thank the Year 12 cohort for their patience and resilience, especially since their year 11 was also disrupted last year.“Exams will take place and the results will come out in mid January.“The university sector will accommodate these changes so students can still be offered a place in university if they chose to do that.“We know the best teaching and learning happens in the classroom.“There is light at the end of the tunnel for students. We needed to balance a return to school to be safe and sensible.”Minister Mitchell also said that students in any LGA could potentially return to remote learning if numbers of those contagious with Covid in that area rise.While it’s now allowed for children aged 12 and up to get vaccinations, the Minister said it will not be mandatory for 12 to 15 year olds to be vaccinated before a return to school.Vaccination ratesNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 70% of the school teaching force was already vaccinated and the return top school was “about giving parents and staff comfort in controlled covid-safe settings.“There are low rates of serious illness in young children and we’ve based our return to school plan based on that,” she said.“In NSW areas of concern, Year 12 students are mostly vaccinated.”She said that across NSW, 62% of the population had already had a first dose of vaccine. “We will also have more vaccines available in  mid September and will consider doing vaccinations in school communities.Case numbersYesterday, there were 882 cases of Covid community transmission -and two deaths. One person in their 80s and one in their 90s.Of 767 cases in hospital, 117 are in intensive care and 547 on ventilation – with 103 of the intensive care cases not vaccinated.She also said in the Ballina region, 57% of residents had their first dose.