Alarming map shows 80% of people in NSW are locked down with Covid hitting remote outback towns - as police get tough new powers to force millions to obey rules amid rift between cops and health department over super spreaders

Sydney's Covid crisis is now a reality for 80 per cent of people living across New South Wales, with 6.6 million in the state under lockdown.

Coronavirus spot fires have flared up from Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers to the Hunter Valley region and even in vulnerable outback communities in the north-west.

In a desperate bid to stop the spread, sweeping changes are coming to Sydney's leaking lockdown as police are handed extraordinary powers to enforce restrictions after falling out with health officials who 'sympathise' with some rule breakers.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will take over the response to the Harbour City's outbreak from Health Minister Brad Hazzard, as frustration grows over the current rules which have seen Sydneysiders flee to second homes and others spending hours sunbaking. 

With the virus having already taken hold in Sydney's south-west and west, Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the city's outbreak is threatening to move back eastwards after an increase in cases in Bayside and the inner-west - as well as areas hundreds of kilometres from the state capital.

80 per cent of people in New South Wales live in the locked down regions highlighted in red

80 per cent of people in New South Wales live in the locked down regions highlighted in red

Police have been given greater powers to crack down on Covid rule-breakers amid fears people are unknowingly spreading the virus while abusing loopholes in the law (pictured, police at a sun-drenched Bondi Beach on Wednesday)

Police have been given greater powers to crack down on Covid rule-breakers amid fears people are unknowingly spreading the virus while abusing loopholes in the law (pictured, police at a sun-drenched Bondi Beach on Wednesday)

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will take over the response to the Harbour City's outbreak as frustration grows over the current rules, which have seen Sydneysiders flee to second homes and others spending hours sunbaking (pictured, women at Bondi on Tuesday)

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller will take over the response to the Harbour City's outbreak as frustration grows over the current rules, which have seen Sydneysiders flee to second homes and others spending hours sunbaking (pictured, women at Bondi on Tuesday)

EVERYWHERE IN NSW LIVING UNDER COVID LOCKDOWNS 

There are about 6.6 million NSW residents now living under stay-at-home orders, which represents about 80 per cent of the state.  

These regions include: 

- All of Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour

- Dubbo LGA including the suburbs of Dubbo, Wellington, Wongarbon, Geurie, Brocklehurst, Stuart Town, Mumbil and Eumungerie

- The Central West region including Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren LGAs

- Hunter and Upper Hunter including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton LGAs

- Armidale LGA (including Guyra)

- Tamworth LGA

- The Northern Rivers region including Ballina, Byron, City of Lismore and Richmond Valley LGAs

 

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon the current health orders are proving difficult to enforce, due to a 'virtually unworkable' standoff between cops and health officials.

It was revealed that some health workers have refused to hand over details of compliance breaches because they felt sorry for some Covid rule-breakers. 

Increasingly frustrated by the split, Commissioner Fuller demanded greater powers to tackle Sydney's climbing case numbers - a move which infuriated Mr Hazzard as tempers boiled over at the meeting.

NSW Police and their own in-house legal team are now discussing amendments that will enable them to crack down on rule-breakers and breaches in virus hotspots to coincide with the rollout of vaccines in pharmacies. 

The remote community of Walgett in the state's northwest, 230km east of Bourke, will enter a snap seven-day lockdown after a local man tested positive to the virus on Wednesday

The remote community of Walgett in the state's northwest, 230km east of Bourke, will enter a snap seven-day lockdown after a local man tested positive to the virus on Wednesday

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday the orders are proving difficult to enforce, due to a 'virtually unworkable' standoff between cops and health officials (pictured, police at Bondi on Wednesday)

Commissioner Fuller and Police Minister David Elliott told a crisis cabinet meeting on Wednesday the orders are proving difficult to enforce, due to a 'virtually unworkable' standoff between cops and health officials (pictured, police at Bondi on Wednesday)

The revisions are expected to include a ban on residents travelling to their second properties, such as beach houses, a bigger ADF presence, and heavier policing of singles bubbles to ensure only two people are coming into contact. 

In one specific incident that outraged police, information regarding a super-spreader event was not passed on to investigators, with health officials feeling uncomfortable about getting the group fined. 

'We still haven't got the details of the 50 people who went to the Pendle Hill funeral,' an official who was briefed on the matter told The Australian.

The illegal gathering in July in southwestern Sydney saw the majority of those in attendance infected with the virus - with one family member later dying of Covid. 

The Mayor of Newcastle also laid the blame for her city's lockdown squarely at the feet of the capital, saying: 'Sydney should have fully locked down, and we could have avoided this.'

Her comments come amid claims the Hunter Region's outbreak, which now stands at 53 cases, began when someone left Sydney 'who knew they should not be travelling'.

In one specific incident that outraged police, information regarding a super-spreader event was not passed on to investigators, with health officials feeling uncomfortable about getting the group fined (pictured, a swimmer on Bondi Beach on Wednesday)

In one specific incident that outraged police, information regarding a super-spreader event was not passed on to investigators, with health officials feeling uncomfortable about getting the group fined (pictured, a swimmer on Bondi Beach on Wednesday)

Police are said to have found Sydney's lockdown 'impossible' to manage, prompting sweeping changes to their powers (pictured, Bondi on Wednesday)

 Police are said to have found Sydney's lockdown 'impossible' to manage, prompting sweeping changes to their powers (pictured, Bondi on Wednesday)

THE CHANGES COMING TO SYDNEY'S LOCKDOWN

Police hope changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas. 

Meanwhile, modifications to single bubbles - which allow two who both live alone to visit each others' houses - will make it easier for police to check compliance. 

The NSW Government is also expected to request more ADF troops to help oversee the orders. 

The announcement came a day after Ms Berejiklian insisted she would not introduce harsher lockdown measures unless they have a proven impact on virus transmission. 

There have been mounting calls for tougher measures as infection numbers in NSW have remained stubbornly high despite an increasingly tight lockdown, particularly in Sydney's west and southwest. 

NSW reported 344 new local cases of Covid on Wednesday - the second highest daily tally on record - as Sydney's contagion shows no signs of slowing down. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the city's Delta outbreak is threatening to move back eastwards after an increase in cases in the Bayside and inner-west areas (pictured, a drive-through testing centre in Ashfield on Wednesday)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the city's Delta outbreak is threatening to move back eastwards after an increase in cases in the Bayside and inner-west areas (pictured, a drive-through testing centre in Ashfield on Wednesday)

Police are said to be frustrated by the difficulties in enforcing the health orders (pictured, sunbakers are watched by a police officer on Bondi Beach on Wednesday as temperatures hit 25C in locked down Sydney)

Police are said to be frustrated by the difficulties in enforcing the health orders (pictured, sunbakers are watched by a police officer on Bondi Beach on Wednesday as temperatures hit 25C in locked down Sydney)

The state also recorded four deaths - a man in his 70s, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 80s, as well as a returned traveller in his 80s unlinked to the current outbreak. All were unvaccinated. 

Sydney and surrounds are in lockdown until at least August 28, while the Hunter, Byron Bay, Armidale and Tamworth are enduring snap lockdowns.  

The outback town of Walgett was also plunged into a snap seven-day lockdown from 7pm on Wednesday night after a local man who had recently travelled to Dubbo and Bathurst tested positive.   

The restrictions will apply to residents in the eight LGAs of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren. 

Residents of the eight affected LGAs will be subject to the same restrictions as those in Greater Sydney, Dubbo, Tamworth, and other parts of the state. 

Sydney's inner-west suburb of Burwood is seen on Wednesday, with the area being hit by a new spate of Covid cases moving in from the city's west

Sydney's inner-west suburb of Burwood is seen on Wednesday, with the area being hit by a new spate of Covid cases moving in from the city's west

An infected man is believed to have also travelled through Bathurst during his infectious period (pictured, downtown in the city of Bathurst) - plunging the area into lockdown

An infected man is believed to have also travelled through Bathurst during his infectious period (pictured, downtown in the city of Bathurst) - plunging the area into lockdown

People in the eight LGAs are permitted to leave home for only four main reasons, shopping for essential goods, medical care, exercise or essential work or education. 

The new case is the fourth to be recorded by Western NSW Local Health District during the most recent outbreak. 

Walgett Shire Mayor Ian Woodcock said authorities were scrambling to ascertain all of the exposure spots after the person visited Dubbo and Bathurst. 

'The police are talking to him now to find out the route he took from where he was to get home' Mr Woodcock said.

'I am frustrated a little bit but what can you do, these things happen.'

Local state MP Roy Butler described the newest case of the virus as 'the news I have feared the most'. 

Mr Butler announced the case in a post on Facebook on Wednesday evening and said the man had travelled through the region not knowing he was infected. 

Dubbo Regional Council has also been plunged into lockdown after two people tested positive to the virus (pictured, Church Street in Dubbo)

Dubbo Regional Council has also been plunged into lockdown after two people tested positive to the virus (pictured, Church Street in Dubbo)

Dubbo, in the state's northwest, entered a snap lockdown from 1pm Wednesday as residents are urged to get tested after a case emerged at Dubbo West Public School (pictured)

Dubbo, in the state's northwest, entered a snap lockdown from 1pm Wednesday as residents are urged to get tested after a case emerged at Dubbo West Public School

'The contact tracers have interviewed him and that information will be made public shortly,' the Facebook post read. 

I hope a second test will show negative, but we must act for now as if this is confirmed. Walgett has good community leadership and I know this town will pull together to overcome this.'

A serious Indian Delta outbreak in the far-flung outback town could spell disaster with a lack of health services in the area, low vaccination rates and vulnerable Indigenous population that represents one third of the community.

Health experts have long warned that First Nations People are at greater risk of the virus due to the prevalence of underlying health conditions.  

The alert came just hours after Dubbo Regional Council were ordered into lockdown after two people also tested positive to the virus.  

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller (pictured) is set to take over the response to Sydney's spiralling Covid crisis

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller is set to take over the response to Sydney's spiralling Covid crisis 

The amendments will give police greater powers to crack down on rule-breakers (pictured, police officers speak to a man during patrols in Bondi)

The amendments will give police greater powers to crack down on rule-breakers (pictured, police officers speak to a man during patrols in Bondi)

Dubbo, in the state's northwest, entered a snap lockdown from 1pm Wednesday as residents are urged to get tested after a case emerged at a local school. 

A second case in the region has since tested positive.

Dubbo West Public School has been closed after the Department of Education was advised by NSW Health of the infection late Tuesday night.

Ms Berejiklian said her government would be glad to consider further measures to limit movement and interaction, but few remained that were proven to reduce virus transmission.

Curfews were listed among this category.

She said that, given the virulence of the Indian Delta variant and its prevalence among essential workers obliged to leave home, a focus on the rapid vaccination of locked-down communities was preferable.

With 80 per cent of people in New South Wales living in lockdown, panic buying has resumed in some areas (pictured, a supermarket in Byron Bay on Wednesday)

With 80 per cent of people in New South Wales living in lockdown, panic buying has resumed in some areas (pictured, a supermarket in Byron Bay on Wednesday)

However, compliance with health orders remains crucial. 

It comes after a virus-positive Sydney man travelled to Byron Bay reportedly to view a property and is accused of refusing to use QR code check-ins. The incident sent the Northern Rivers region into its lockdown.

'Policy positions that may have worked in the past aren't going to have effect with Delta, it's something we need to accept,' the premier said on Tuesday.

'Short of not having authorised workers do what's necessary, it's really difficult to get to lower cases without that targeted vaccine strategy.

'We need to treat differently, and NSW doesn't have any intention of putting in strategies that aren't going to work.' 

The death toll from the current outbreak now sits at 32. There are 60 Covid patients in intensive care, with 28 ventilated.

Byron Bay is one of many areas of New South Wales now in lockdown (pictured on Wednesday)

Byron Bay is one of many areas of New South Wales now in lockdown (pictured on Wednesday)

The 344 new locally-acquired cases came as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned more LGAs in Sydney's south and inner-west could face tighter lockdown measures

The 344 new locally-acquired cases came as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned more LGAs in Sydney's south and inner-west could face tighter lockdown measures

Ms Berejiklian reiterated her government's aspiration remained 'Covid zero', as per national cabinet, but also that NSW would consider partially easing restrictions once it reaches six million vaccinations.

About 4.6 million jabs have been administered so far, with 23.59 per cent of eligible NSW residents fully vaccinated. 

While locked-down Armidale and Tamworth have not recorded new virus cases, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said new infections were uncovered in the Hunter. A case unlinked to the travelling Sydney man was also found in Byron Bay.

Dr Chant later told Tuesday's parliamentary inquiry a West Hoxton party in which almost every unvaccinated guest caught Covid-19 was a root cause of the virus' western Sydney prevalence.

'It was thought that cluster had been identified very early but there were issues around containment that weren't appreciated,' Dr Chant said.

Police hope changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas (pictured, officers patrol Fairfield on Wednesday)

Police hope changing a rule that permits locked-down Sydneysiders to move between residences will stem the spread of Covid into regional areas (pictured, officers patrol Fairfield on Wednesday)

Latest Covid exposure sites in NSW

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result:

Lambton: Planet Fitness Lambton - Turton Road Tuesday 3 August 3.05pm to 5.00pm

Byron Bay: Byron Massage Clinic - 6/4 Bay Lane Monday 2 August 10.00am to 11.00am. Wednesday 4 August 10.45am to 12.00pm

Byron Bay: Westpac ATM - 73 Johnson Street Tuesday 3 August 1.30pm to 1.45pm

Bryon Bay: Success Thai Food - 3/31 Lawson Street Tuesday 3 August 1.15pm to 1.45pm. Friday 6 August 4.45pm to 5.15pm

Byron Bay: Byron Bay General Store - 26 Bangalow Road Wednesday 4 August 7.45am to 8.15am

Bangalow: Butcher Baker Café - 13 Byron Street Thursday 5 August 11.15am to 11.45am

Bangalow: Sparrow Coffee - 1A/32-34 Byron Street Thursday 5 August 6.45am to 7.15am

Byron Bay: Woolworths - 106 Johnson Street Saturday 7 August 12.45pm to 1.45pm

Bryon Bay: Zaza Kebabs - 8/4 Johnson Street Saturday 7 August 12.00pm to 12.30pm

Byron Bay: Ampol Service Station - 76/78 Shirley Street Saturday 7 August 11.45am to 12.15pm

Byron Bay: Ozi Go Car Wash- Ewingsdale Road & Bayshore Drive Saturday 7 August 11.30am to 12.00pm

Byron Bay: Japonaise Kitchen -  2/25-27 Lawson Street Saturday 7 August 4.30pm to 5pm

Newrybar: Harvest Cafe Village - 18, 22 Old Pacific Highway, Sunday 1 August 7.30am to 7.45am and  Saturday 7 August 9.15am to 10.15am

Byron Bay: Izakaya Gallery KURA- 8/4 Bay Lane FRiday 6 August 5.30pm to 6pm

Bangalow: Pharmacy - 23 Byron Street Thursday 5 August 11am to 11.30am

Bangalow: Foodworks - Shop 2/2 Byron Street Monday 2 August 9.45am to 11.15am 

Glendale: Boho Black Café, 387 Lake Road, Tuesday 3 August 9am to 9.30pm

Lidcombe: Toohey's Brewery - 29 Nyrang Street, Tuesday 3 August 1.55pm to 4pm

Charlestown: Super Vape Store - 260 Charlestown Road, Thursday 5 August 3pm to 3.30pm

Dubbo: Tim Koertz Pharmacy - 98 Tamworth Street, Monday 9 August 1pm to 1.15pm

Dubbo: Covid Safe Clinic - 77 Myall Street, Tuesday 10 August 7.45am to 8.35am

Anyone who travelled on the following bus routes at the listed times in a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result: 

Bus 941: From Bankstown Station, Stand E to Hillcrest Ave, Greenacre, Sunday 1 August 1.13pm to 1.24pm

Bus 941: From Hillcrest Ave, Gosling Park, to Bankstown Station, Stand C, Monday 2 August 6.05am to 6.15am 

Bus 913: From Bankstown Central, The Mall, to Gosling Park, Hillcrest Ave, Greenacre, Monday 2 August 4.55pm to 5.03pm

Bus 320: From Mascot Post Office to Pacific Highway opposite Gore Hill Oval, Friday 6 August 10.19am to 11.26am, 2.34pm to 3.41pm, and 5.43pm to 7.03pm, and Sunday 8 August 10.32am to 11.33am and 12.52pm to 1.53pm

Bus 320: From Gore Hill Technology Park to Botany Road before King Street, Friday 6 August 11.35am to 12.45pm, 4.10pm to 5.29pm, and 7.12pm to 8.13pm, and Sunday 8 August 11.44am to 12.37pm and 2.04pm to 2.57pm

Bus 422: From Kogarah Station, Railway Parade, Stand C, to Pitt Street before Hay Street, Friday August 8 4.28pm to 5.04pm

Bus 422: From Pitt Street opposite Barlow Street to Kogarah Station, Regent St, Stand D, Friday 8 August 5.17pm to 6.05pm

Bus 348: From Wolli Creek Station, Discovery Point Place, to Bondi Junction Station, Stand P, Friday 8 August 7pm to 7.47pm

Bus 348: From Bondi Junction Station, Stand H to Wolli Creek Station, Discovery Point Place, August 8 7.56pm to 8.41pm 

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is urged to immediately get tested and isolate for until receiving further advice from NSW Health:

Dubbo Don Crosby Veterinary Surgery 327 Darling Street Saturday 7 August 8.55am to 9.45am

Dubbo The Harvest Cafe 64 Palmer Street Saturday 7 August 9.50am to 10.10am

Dubbo Ashcrofts IGA 95 Tamworth Street Sunday 8 August 12.35pm to 12.55pm 

For the list of casual contact sites from NSW Health, click here.