​To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for the Armidale Regional Local Government Area, including the towns of Armidale and Guyra, from 5pm today until 12.01am Sunday 15 August.

Following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing risk to the community, stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in these areas or have been there on or after 29 July 2021.

The rules for this area will be the same as those already in place across Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, and Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock.

We are asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them so we do not see further cases of COVID-19 in the community.

Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have social 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.

People also cannot enter the Armidale Regional Local Government Area without a reasonable excuse to do so.

In relation to the 'singles bubble', an adult in the Armidale Regional LGA who does not live with another adult can have a social visitor from somewhere in the same LGA.

There are two exemptions for Armidale. Weddings and funerals can take place in the LGA until the beginning of Tuesday 10 August. After that, weddings will not be permitted and funerals will be limited to 10 mourners.

People staying in a caravan park or camping ground in Armidale on a booking made before today can continue their stay provided it is not extended.

We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.

It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community.

The Armidale Hospital drive-through testing clinic has extended its operating hours and will operate 9am to 5pm, seven days per week. Clinic hours may be extended further if required. Laverty Pathology also operates a drive-through testing clinic in Armidale, and Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology operates a walk-in clinic on weekdays.

For more information visit the NSW Government website