A seven-day stay-at-home order was issued on Monday for the Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore, and Ballina Shire Local Government Areas, effective from 6pm August 9 until 12.01am August 17 to protect the people of NSW from the evolving Covid-19 outbreak.

Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis made the announcement on behalf of the NSW Government earlier this week after receiving a call from Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

The decision was made following the advice of NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, with stay-at-home orders applicable to all people who live in the aforementioned areas or have visited them on or after July 31.

While the Clarence Valley, Tweed and Kyogle are not in lockdown, residents from these areas and elsewhere cannot enter the Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Lismore, and Ballina Shire Local Government Areas, without a reasonable excuse to do so.

In adherence to the lockdown, Mr Gulaptis said if you have been to an affected area this month, the stay-at-home order also applies to you.

Mr Gulaptis said the rules for this area will be the same as those already in place across Greater Sydney, as well as Tamworth, Armidale, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock.

Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave, and they cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends.

People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.

Mr Gulaptis said he understands this is a difficult time for the community he is asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them to prevent further cases of Covid-19 in the community.