NSW COVID-19 update: Easing of NSW travel restrictions delayed by weeks

Premier Gladys Berejiklian had previously said that travel restrictions would be lifted when the state hit the 70 per cent.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the change on Monday, saying it was needed to give some regional areas more time to boost vaccination rates. Further freedoms are then expected at stage 3 of the State Government's 'blueprint for freedom' on December 1, when 92 per cent of the adult population is expected to be double-dosed.

The state's single dose figure officially passed 85 per cent by Monday morning, with double doses at 60 per cent. NSW recorded 787 cases in Monday's update, with 12 deaths.

In the Hunter there were 42 cases, with NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant calling out the region as an area of concern as risks in Sydney begin to fade. "We are seeing increasing cases in areas around Newcastle, Muswellbrook and Singleton, and Newcastle in general."

In Newcastle local government area there were seven cases in Jesmond, five in Wallsend, two in Newcastle, one in Mayfield, one in Merewether, one in Cooks Hill, one in Waratah, one in Birmingham Gardens, one in Newcastle West and one in Lambton.

Lake Macquarie had four in Cardiff, two in Blackalls Park, two in Cardiff South, one in Macquarie Hills, one in Windermere Park, one in Lakelands and one in Marmong Point

Cessnock and Maitland added four each: two in Weston, one in Abermain, one in Heddon Greta, two in Rutherford, one in East Maitland and one in Woodberry. Port Stephens added four; two in Raymond Terrace, one in Medowie, one in Twelve Mile Creek. A single cases also emerged in Muswellbrook.

Of the fresh cases, 23 were infectious in the community, with the status of eight unknown, while 28 of the cases are linked. The region now has 485 active cases and 737 close contacts. One is in intensive care, among 13 in hospital.

Hunter public health physician David Durrheim said most transmission within the region was occurring in social groups. "It's people who know each other, people are getting together and not wearing masks, people who are spreading it to friends and family," Dr Durrheim said. "A number of our cases have been infectious .. and symptomatic in the community while they've been moving around and that gives COVID the opportunity of rapidly spreading."

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