Muswellbrook LGA will remain under COVID stay-at-home orders until 12:01am on October 11

NSW Health yesterday confirmed stay-at-home orders would be extended for Muswellbrook LGA and would be introduced in areas of Mid-Coast LGA including Taree, Forster and Tuncurry.

NSW Health had earlier announced that stay-at-home orders would be lifted for Cowra and Port Macquarie LGAs, while also announcing Gunnedah LGA would enter a seven day lockdown from midnight, Monday October 4.

Upper Hunter MP David Layzell said in a statement on Facebook the decision to extend the lockdown in Muswellbrook had been made based on the advice of the NSW Health expert panel.

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"Unfortunately, there has been considerable community exposure and NSW Health believe there could be a developing situation that is not showing up in the testing figures. The extended lockdown is being taken as a measure to protect the community," Mr Layzell said.

"I am frustrated that despite the best efforts of 99 per cent of the community that we have ended up in this situation again.

"I can only ask for patience and understanding until the 11th October when I hope lockdown measures will end altogether.

"Please continue to get tested if you have any symptoms or are concerned in any way," Mr Layzell said.

Fresh exposure sites have been identified at Nulkaba's Fast'n Fresh BP on Wine Country Drive (Thursday September 30 from 11am - 2pm and Friday October 1 from 11am - 2pm) as well as Forster Bowling Club, particularly its gaming areas, on Wednesday September 29 from 7.30pm to 8.40pm.

Pokies areas at Forster's Lakeside Tavern were also flagged as exposure sites between 3.30pm and 4pm on Sunday October 3.

The Midcoast hamlet's Stockland shopping centre also had four stores on the list:

Abermain Pharmacy was also flagged for a window on Wednesday September 29 from 11am to 11.30am.

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