The Book Warehouse on Keen Street has temporarily ceased all trading, following advice from NSW Health that a Covid-19 positive person had entered its premises.The news comes as Lismore records one new Covid case, as reported this afternoon by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). Two new Covid cases were also reported in Casino.Read more Covid news: Two new venues of concern listed in LismoreThe Book WarehouseThe Book Warehouse will remain closed until further notice for store cleaning and until all staff have been tested and are clear.The closure comes after the Covid case visited the shop on Thursday, September 30, between 11.15am and 11.25am.“If you were in our business at that time, you need to get tested and isolate until you receive a negative test result,” a shop Instagram post said.“The Lismore shop is currently closed to the general public due to the LGA Lockdown and staff will not be available to supply click and collect services or to answer phone enquiries until negative test results have been returned and the shop has been deep cleaned.“Our website is still running and staff will be back o deck to process orders as soon as possible.“We thank you for your patience and encourage anyone with even the mildest symptoms to get tested.”At the time of publication, the shop was still not listed on the NSW health website as a venue of concern.Local district Covid casesNNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir said yesterday, October 5, three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in the local health district.“Two cases are in the Casino area of Richmond Valley Local Government Area (LGA), and one case is in the Lismore LGA,” Ms Weir said.“All three are household contacts of confirmed cases. Two of the cases had been self isolating and one had been infectious in the community for 24 hours. “Two cases are now being cared for in hospital, and both are in a stable condition.”To 8pm 5 October, there have now been 41 total cases confirmed in Northern NSW since 16 June when the current Delta outbreak in Sydney began. “NNSWLHD can confirm there have now also been four positive cases in the Grafton area reported since 8pm,” Ms Weir said."These cases are under investigation, and will be reported in NSW Health’s figures tomorrow.”TestsFor the week of 19-25 September there were 10,562 tests conducted among local residents of Northern NSW Local Health District. In the four days to 30th September a further 6,372 tests were conducted.  “Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing. If you have had a negative test and then develop new symptoms at a later date, please come and get another test,” Ms Weir said.“It’s important that we keep testing numbers as high as possible, to identify any new cases among our community.”

As Lismore LGA enters its third day in the latest lockdown, two more new venues of concern in Lismore have appeared on the NSW Health website.The latest two venues are the SPAR on Wyrallah Road in East Lismore on October 1 and the Healthwise Multicare Chiropractic Centre on Orion Street on September 24.Read more Covid news: CBD shop ceases trading after Covid case visits the venueAs the NSW Government leadership is changing, so too is how NSW Health reports Covid case numbers, venues of concern and definitions of close contacts.Statewide and local reportingIn this morning’s NSW Health Covid update, Dr Marianne Gale reported there were 594 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were also ten deaths.When it comes to our regional, local area, some Lismore App readers have asked us how NSW Health makes decisions regarding what information to report to the community – particularly with regard to the source of infections and where any venue of concern might be.The official answer from our health authorities is that if you are considered a close contact and have visited a venue of concern, you will be contacted by NSW Health and asked to get tested and isolate. While there has been no NSW Health media release today reporting the two new venues of concern, the Lismore App visited the NSW Health website to discover the details of the two local venues. The details are listed as follows, along with a list of all other currently listed Lismore 2480 postcode venues.At the moment, the take-home message is to check in with the NSW Health website for the latest details in order to keep yourself up to date with Covid cases. You can visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/nsw-covid-19-case-locations/case-locations for more information.

After 15 years of showing art exhibitions in North Lismore, Serpentine Community Gallery will be closing its doors.The gallery’s treasurer and founding member Corrine (Rin) Batt-Rowden said it’s not the end of the community gallery - but she doesn’t know where the gallery can relocate to - and is calling for community help.“The building has been sold and the new owner needs accommodation for his family,” Rin said.“We are in the middle of a rental crisis and there’s not many places available at the moment.“The building is zoned for residential and business use, so his mother will live there.“He has offered us free rent until we find somewhere else to go to.OptionsRin said the gallery’s program of exhibitions will continue while the committee looks at real estate options.“We are hoping to move into the Lismore CBD into a bigger space and be able to provide more services to members,” she said“We have lots of digital artists at the gallery and would love to offer Artificial Reality (AR) workshops.“We have also talked to the Mayor to see if council has a venue we can use.”ReinventionRin said Covid restrictions and lockdown challenges meant the gallery had needed to reinvent itself to survive.“We created an online gallery with merchant facilities, so we could still show and sell work,” she said.“It was all about being creative and coming up with new solutions in a new world to transform and create a space for the community.“We are all still excited and the team is positive and upbeat about the future.”HistorySerpentine Community Gallery opened in November 2006.Rin said she signed the lease after walking by one day and thinking the building would make a good gallery.“I was inspired and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Rin laughed.“It’s been a challenging a 15-year commitment, working as part of a volunteer team and holding space for the community and member artists.“I’ve learned, grown and met some awesome people.”Community galleryAs a community gallery, Serpentine Gallery is a not for profit incorporated organisation, owned by and for the community.Rin said as a financial gallery member (for $50 a year), artists get to participate in members and group shows - as well as sell items in the gallery gift shop - and have voting rights on management committee decisions.HighlightsRin said a highlight for her has been working with high school students to exhibit their Year 12 artworks.“I love seeing their parents and community come and support the young artists - and seeing the pride and sense of accomplishment they had.“There’s not a lot of places they can exhibit their art and it happened in such a supportive way at Serpentine.Lowlights Even after the 2017 floods inundated the gallery, Rin said the community donated so much and helped clean it up after the flood.Ironically, it was the gallery’s current exhibitors – the Lismore Art Club - who had their exhibition on when the flood-hit in 2017. Read more: Lismore Art Club exhibition celebrates 61 years of art“At the time, they lost some work in the floods,” Rin said. “They have been sharing their stories about it, some artists remembering having to throw out mud-covered artworks.“There are so many good and sad stories of strength and community support here. When an artist dies, their friends put on an exhibition of their work for the community“It’s been a place where all walks of life connect and share creative inspiration.”HelpIf you have any ideas of where the gallery can relocate to, email gallery@serpectinearts.org

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall for the Northern Rivers.As severe thunderstorms continue to develop throughout the State, winds, hailstones and rainfall may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours.See more pictures of the fast moving front at the end of this story.The next warning is due to be issued by 5:40 pm and the State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

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 caseWhile 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 statisticsThe 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 casesNNSWLHD 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 concernsSewage 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. 

After a long break due to constant Covid lockdowns, the Thursday night Musical Bingo showdown is back on at Marigold’s Kitchen at Lismore City Bowls Club - starting tonight.If you’ve never played musical bingo before, it involves receiving a card with a list of song names. Then you listen to the bingo master play snippets of songs - and you tick them off your list. The first one to tick off all the songs is the winner.The brainchild of the fun night of dinner and bingo is local cook, Marigold. She wants the event to become a regular Thursday event at the Molesworth Street venue.Marigold said bringing patrons back to the CBD bowls venue was important – as the club has been affected by the past year of Covid restrictions and lockdowns.“Even if people don’t want to eat, they can play bingo and have a drink,” Marigold said. “It’s free to play and there are dinner vouchers, bottles of wine and chocolates as prizes.Marigold used to be a cook at the Italo Club and has lots of experience with buffet style food – she hopes to bring back the buffet once a week at Marigold’s Kitchen.“We first opened up Marigold’s Kitchen in the bowlo in April,” she said. “It’s been a struggle with Covid, but we are keen to get back to a regular thing.”Bingo starts at 7pm, but people are encouraged to arrive at 6pm and order dinner.Until the buffet comes back, it will be a cook to order menu with steak, cutlets, schnitzels, roast meat, nachos and a vegetable stacker. These are also vegan options available.  Marigold’s Kitchen will operate at the Lismore City Bowls Club every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, from 5:30 till 8:30pm. To book a table, call 0432291824.You can also visit https://www.facebook.com/Marigolds-Kitchen-109558647879558/

As new venues of concern are announced in Lismore, Kyogle, Casino, Tweed and Byron, the question of whether or not another lockdown will be called is on many people’s minds.The new venues were announced overnight after a number of new Covid cases were discovered in Byron and Kyogle – and who had visited multiple venues across the Northern Rivers.Read more: Two COVID cases in Kyogle today plus 22 venues of concern in the NR's including LismoreIn the NSW premier’s press conference this morning, NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant was asked if the extra cases meant another lockdown would be called.Dr Chant said the Northern Rivers may not go back into lockdown if locals and businesses were following all the rules to limit the spread of Covid.“All of the extra protections we now have will be kept in consideration,” she said. “Having businesses with strong Covid protections and vaccinated employees may change the how the close contact definition is looked at.“Vacccination status will be a key factor about whether you are a close contact - and this will change what the recommended actions are.”Covid testing drive thru relocates from LismoreThe new cluster of Covid cases in Kyogle has prompted Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP) to relocate its drive thru Covid testing clinic to Kyogle from Southern Cross University.A spokesperson for SNP said “it’s been extremely busy at Kyogle today and the local council have been supporting it greatly.”If you need Covid testing done in Lismore, the SNP main procedure collection room is still open at Wyrallah Road in East Lismore from 7am to 5pm and you can phone the office on 66201200.The Kyogle Covid Drive through testing site in Kyogle is located at the corner of Summerland Way & Anzac Drive and is open from 9am to 3pm.Covid statistics NSW recorded 941 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 yesterday There were six deaths - four of them were not vaccinated and two had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Schools return earlyThe NSW Government also announced this morning that schools will return earlier than the previously announced date of October 25.Face to face learning will now resume on 18 October for kindergarten, year one and year 12 students, as part of a three-week staggered return.Other grades will return to face-to-face learning on 25 October and 1 November.Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the original plan changed because NSW was tracking towards the 70% cent double-dose vaccination coverage target faster than anticipated.Jobsaver support phased outThe Government also announced this morning that Jobsaver support will begin to phase out as NSW reached the 70% and 80% vaccination targets.The Jobsaver amount will change to 50% once the 80% double dose vaccination rate has been reached and NSW “opens up” again on December 1. It will be $750 a fortnight."Now $8 billion is being spent by the NSW Government to keep people in work,” a government spokesperson said.“We want to keep a sustained cash flow as people come back into work, until we fully open up again into a bright summer."A 30% reduction in turnover will still be one of the necessary criteria."

An enigmatic new coffee roasting business with a difference is slowly shaping up to become a reality at 53 Dawson Street in Lismore.Called Timbre, the new business will be the main office for a coffee business with altruistic intentions.The business' owner Melissa said the plans to open the new premises had been slowed down due to lockdowns – but that she was in the final stages of fulfilling Lismore Council’s specifications before opening the doors.Melissa said the Dawson Street building would become the main office for Kwila Coffee - a small, independent coffee roasting business."We are involved with partnership projects in Papua New Guinea and we source our coffee ethically from these partnerships," Melissa said.“The new premises will include a workshop space with a small coffee shop and retail space that connects customers with artisans that we are engaged with at places where our coffee originates.“We will also have a small pop-up style retail section dedicated to of some other artists from organisations we collaborate with.”Melissa said anyone keen to find out more about the business and how to support its projects can visit Instagram @timbre.lismore.“We so look forward to being part of the business community and bring some South Pacific flavours to Lismore,” she said.

While there were no new cases of COVID-19 reported in Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) yesterday, fragments of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in Lismore sewage.NNSWLHD acting chief executive Lynne Weir said the samples were taken from the East and South Lismore sewage treatment plants on September 22."These sites serve a combined total of approximately 32,500 people in the Lismore and Goonellabah areas," she said.It's not surprising that there are Covid fragments in local sewage, due to virus shedding from Lismore's recent Covid positive cases. We also have the Lismore Base Hospital sewage which feeds into the local sewerage plants.Contact tracingMs Weir also said contact tracing is continuing into the positive case which visited the Ballina LGA last week. "No public exposure venues have been identified to date, and a number of close contacts have been directly contacted by NSW Health," she said."The last detection at these sites was on 15 September.  "While there have been recent confirmed cases in these areas, we encourage anyone who has even mild cold-like symptoms, to get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.  Local testing ratesDuring the seven days to 21 September there were 11,361 tests conducted among residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District. "We have seen testing numbers trending upwards in recent weeks, however it is still incredibly important that anyone who is at all unwell comes forward to get a test as soon as they develop symptoms.," Ms Weir said."High testing rates is one indicator which NSW Health reviews when determining the level of risk in the community, alongside confirmed cases, sewage detections and vaccination rates. "All these factors contribute to decisions around how vulnerable communities are, and what measures need to be put in place to reduce risk of transmission, such as stay at home orders or other restriction levels."More Covid vaccination bookings availableCurrently, more than 70% of adults living in Northern NSW have now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccination Program Coordinator for NNSWLHD, Matt Long, said it is a great start, but urges smore people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves, their loved ones and the broader community.  "We now have more bookings available at the Lismore COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for AstraZeneca," he said.You can find your nearest available appointment by using the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder. This tool allows you to search by location or ‘next available booking’.  GPs offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines“In addition to our Northern NSW LHD operated clinics, far more GPs have started offering Pfizer through September, and local Pharmacies will soon start offering the Moderna vaccine, to make accessing vaccination as easy as possible in Northern NSW,” Mr Long said.  “We want to keep up the strong vaccination momentum that we have seen recently, with first dose vaccination rates rising by 14 to 20% points across our footprint since late August.” Those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.

According to Addo, the green-fingered owner of Lismore’s newest and most elegant plant shop - he and plants are inseparable.His new shop Elegant Plantscape & Co, has been open for a couple of weeks now, but because of the snap lockdown, his plans for a grand opening were hampered.Now, Addo and his business partner Nicholas are both excited that tomorrow (Saturday), they can finally have an official opening at the shop, on Dalley Street in East Lismore.“This plant shop is beautiful,” Addo said. “People have been stopping by and looking in the window and they tell me how lovely it is.“I enjoy looking at plants – they make everyone happy. When people visit the shop, they feel energized when they leave.”Not your average plant shopThe new shop is not your average nursery – it’s all about indoor plants and there’s also decorative pots and shelves to put plants on in your home.“We have shelves for plants you won’t see anywhere else – they will complete your lounge room,” he said.Addo also offers a service for business owners who want plants for their offices, but don’t want to maintain them themselves.“With our plant hire and maintenance service, we bring the plants water them and replace them if they don’t look the best - so the customer always has the place looking beautiful,” Addo said.Why open a plant shop?“We are going through a tough time with Covid and problems right now," he said.“We know that plants clean the air and with people staying at home most of the time now - and looking at empty walls – this contributes to negative psychological effects, so to have plants in their homes changes things.”This is not Addo’s first plant shop. He grew up on a farm and has always loved plants – and now also runs a local organic gardening business.He’s recently moved back to Lismore and he wants to make people happy with plants.Which plant is right for you?If you aren’t sure which plants will be right for your home, Addo said he is there to give you advice.Depending on the light levels in your rooms, or the amount of effort you want to put into caring for plants, he’ll make sure you take home the right ones.“Whatever information people need about plants, they can get it when they come here,” Addo said.His most popular selling plant at the moment is the tropical looking Alocacia plant, because it’s easy to look after and needs less water.“Every time someone buy one, I want to take one home too,” Addo laughed.The grand opening of Elegant Plantscape & Co will take place tomorrow, Saturday September 25, from 10.30am to 3pm at 2 Dalley Street, East Lismore (Near Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre).You can also visit the shop’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/elegantplantscape/

After a two-year break, the popular BIOCycle Compost is again on sale from the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and Nimbin Transfer Station.Lismore City Council’s Manager of Commercial Services David Hanna said "this is great news for home gardeners and our local agricultural industry". “Unfortunately, after the 2019 fire at our waste facility, we had to stop producing compost until we could repair the damaged compost pad area,” he said. "We have now done this work and have made a few other improvements to our processing system to ensure the quality of our certified organic BIOCycle compost is of high standard. “As the processed materials take time to break down into compost, the quantity available to the public will be limited at first but will increase as more is ready to be bagged up ready for home gardens.” At the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre, Councils is closing the loop on organics recycling, turning the region's food and garden scraps into a nutrient-rich BIOcycle compost for local farms and backyard gardens.Once the contents from kerbside organics bins are brought to the Recycling & Recovery Centre, the material is stockpiled into rows on the composting pad. Food and garden waste is shredded and then processed on an Aero-sorb system, which pushes air through the material, speeding up the composting process and keeping it in an aerobic state. Heat and micor-organisms assist in the composting and killing off any pathogens and weed seeds.The composted material is then graded and screened to remove plastics and other inorganic materials, and is tested for quality assurance before being released for sale.The result is a 10mm BIOcycle compost product which is certified organic (BFA Registered Product 11538AI) and can be purchased via the Lismore & Nimbin Revolve Shops.The price of a 15kg/20L bag costs is $14. Limited amounts of bulk compost is also available and delivery can be arranged.  The bags will be available for purchase from the Lismore and Nimbin Revolve Shops Friday, 24 September. The operating hours of the Revolve Shop are Wednesday and Friday 9am to 2pm on Saturday 9am to 1pm. The operating hours of the Nimbin Transfer Station are 8am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For more information, visit www.northernriverswaste.com.au and look under ‘Organics & Compost’ or phone our Contact Centre on 6625 0500.

Just when Al Oshlack thought he could get a breather from taking the North Lismore Plateau Housing Development to court, last week he started planning the next court case.Al is a legal representative from the Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network and he’s been working with Indigenous Elder Mickey Ryan to oppose the development – and he’s vowed never to give up.The controversial 430 lot housing development has reared its head at Council meetings a few times now.Al said last week’s vote by Lismore Councillors to approve the development was unique in that it was the first Development Approval (DA) where councillors got to vote for or against the DA going ahead.“The last time we had a court case to stop this development, it was the Northern Rivers Planning panel and the local government planning minister making decisions on the development – now it’s Council,” Al said.Read more: Court deems North Lismore Plateau development 'invalid'Then, in July this year, Lismore councillors agreed to hand over 37 hectares of council-owned land on the North Lismore Plateau to its traditional owners. Read more: Historic vote as LCC votes to hand back land at North Lismore PlateauDespite this, Al still intends to take to court every DA that is proposed for development on North Lismore Plateau.“And each court case takes at least 12 months,” he said.Al cites a number of reasons as to why the development should not go ahead – including the ecological destruction of an endangered plant species (hairy joint grass) and a big impact on flooding and pollution in North Lismore.“There will be thousands of car movements a day onto Dunoon road,” Al said. “The infrastructure there cannot handle it – and there’s also not one social housing proposal for the plateau.”Al also cites noise issues for those who might live in the development from the nearby speedway at Lismore Showgrounds.“There’s also the go cart tracks, the Lismore Show, Tropical Fruits New Year party and Gemfest that take place in the showgrounds,” Al said“We believe they will move to shut the speedway down if the development goes ahead - and we need to be aware of this.”In a previous court case held in May 2020, Al highlighted the pollution and flooding problems, caused by building a housing development in a flood plain.“We get heavy rainfall and the development will construct a huge storm water drain and pump water straight into Slater Creek, which will add to flooding on North Lismore," he said.“This has also not been assessed.“You’d think they would consider that – and we hope the NSW Land and Environment Court will think likewise.”

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.