Fury over NSW deputy premier's 'appalling' and 'insulting' move to announce the entire state would be plunged into lockdown via a TWEET

The whole of NSW will be plunged into lockdown from 5pm Saturday with residents slamming the move being announced on Twitter hours after the state's highly televised Covid press conference. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the restrictions would last for one week for all of regional NSW on Twitter on Saturday afternoon - two hours before the lockdown was due to begin.

'To minimise movement and protect our communities from the evolving Covid situation in Sydney, stay-at-home orders will be introduced for all of regional NSW from 5pm tonight,' he said.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced a statewide lockdown from 5pm Saturday over Twitter 

Dubbo (pictured on Friday) had another 16 Covid cases announced on Saturday sparking concerns the outbreak could spread there 

While Greater Sydney has endured a lockdown for nearly seven weeks, now everyone in the state must only leave their residence for an essential reason, with all schooling to be conducted from home.

On Saturday morning at the NSW press conference 466 new locally acquired Covid-19 and four deaths were announced, marking the state's worst day during the pandemic. 

Of the new cases, 16 were from Dubbo in the state's west after the virus spilled out of the Greater Sydney region earlier this week. 

There is also one case in Walgett, with the number of active cases in the Western NSW region at 42. 

A popup testing centre has been established in Dubbo as the western NSW town deals with a Covid outbreak 

Furious residents were asking why the announcement wasn't made at the state's official press conference 

BUSINESSES THAT CAN REMAIN OPEN

• supermarkets and grocery shops,

• shops that predominantly sell food or drinks eg butchers, bakeries, fruit shops and delicatessens, but does not include restaurants or cafes.

• chemists and pharmacies,

• kiosks

• shops that predominately sell office supplies, pet supplies, newspapers, magazines and stationery, alcohol, maternity and baby supplies, medical or pharmaceutical supplies

• food and drink premises, but only to sell takeaway

• cellar door premises, but only to sell takeaway

• hardware and building supplies

• landscaping material supplies

• rural supplies

• timber yards

• garden centres and plant nurseries,

• vehicle hire premises, not including the premises at which vehicles are sold,

• shops that predominately carry out mobile phone repairs.

• Service stations, banks, post offices, laundromats and drycleaners can remain open. 

The majority of new cases are young Indigenous people in West Dubbo - contributing to a growing concern the virus could quickly spread through the region's Indigenous population. 

NSW residents replying to Mr Barilaro's tweet were furious the announcement wasn't made more publicly. 

'There's only two hours to go, surely you should get on television and give people some notice?' One person said. 

'Very strange that the deputy is announcing this on Twitter. WTF goes on in those meetings,' another said.

'Why wouldn't you announce it at the presser this morning? 2.5 hours notice for those in regional NSW? What if those people aren't on Twitter?' A third added. 

'This is terrible messaging for rural and regional people! Why has it not been properly announced with clear directions?!' A fourth person said.  

'Ummm seven weeks too late. What is the government doing about prioritising vaccines for vulnerable indigenous communities in the regions?' Added a fifth. 

Social media users were also asking questions regarding scheduled surgeries or having already organised click and collect groceries. 

Mr Barilaro briefly appeared on the ABC about 4pm - an hour before the lockdown - and said vaccinations in the region were a focus. 

'Pharmacies are getting on board to deliver vaccines along with the GP network and this week we refocused our resources into Walgett because we know it's a vulnerable community' Mr Barilaro said. 

At Saturday's press conference, the premier announced restrictions would be tightened in Greater Sydney effective from Monday.

'You can do activity within your local government area but instead of 10km from your home, it will be 5km from your home and that's for all of greater Sydney,' she said.

Mr Barilaro said getting vaccines into areas in western NSW was a priority 

Some commenters said people not on Twitter would not get the information 

The police presence will also ramp up in affected LGAs, with officers able to impose larger fines of $5000 for breaching public health orders.

'There will be a visible and increased police presence in the affected local government areas including deployment of specialised commands, and including the riot squad, highway patrol, and increased presence more broadly,' Ms Berejiklian said.

An additional 500 ADF personnel will be deployed on top of 300 already in NSW.

Also from next week, people in greater Sydney will need a permit to travel to regional NSW while single people in affected LGAs will need to register their 'single buddies'.

Dubbo was earlier this week placed under lockdown but from 5pm Saturday the whole of regional NSW will join them 

Ms Berejiklian told reporters people leaving their house for exercise had to be either actively exercising or supervising children.

'Exercise means exercise, many people know that but unfortunately some people were trying to get around the rules imposed,' she said.

The biggest increases in case numbers in western Sydney were in Blacktown, Doonside, Mount Druitt, Maryland, Guildford and Auburn, the Premier said.

Of the new local cases, 121 are linked to known outbreaks and 345 are under investigation, while 87 people were in the community for all or part of the time they were infectious.

The isolation status of 303 people is also under investigation. 

Walgett recorded one new Covid case on Saturday with authorities concerned the virus might spread in the large Indigenous population 

REGIONAL NSW LOCKDOWN  

The lockdown applies for the whole of regional NSW, effective from 5pm Saturday until 12.01am Sunday 22 August 2021.

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

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

All hospitality venues must be closed to the public, including pubs, restaurants and cafes, except for takeaway.

Some other retail premises are required to close. 

Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them. 

Masks must be worn when working outdoors, by all school staff, by all people in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food.

Every employer across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.

It is a reasonable excuse to leave your home for work – but only if it is not practicable to work from home.

There will be a one-day 'grace period' for planned weddings and funerals in the regional areas that have not already been subject to a lockdown.

From Monday, small funerals and memorial services of 10 persons only (excluding the persons conducting the service) will be permitted.