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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

NNSWLHD thanks residents for getting tested

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

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Domestic violence: Lismore

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Push for free conservation rezoning as report reveals Byron habitat protection gap

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Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) say they would like to thank residents of Northern NSW who have responded to calls for testing as part of the response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney.

Last week until 19 June, there were 2,584 COVID tests for Northern New South Wales
Local Health District residents.

This week, up until Saturday 26 June, there were 3,611 tests amongst local health
district residents. Not all tests are conducted locally, as some residents are tested
elsewhere in the State.

On Sunday, 27 June there was further increased testing with 580 tests being conducted
at our four hospital testing clinics in Tweed Heads, Lismore, Byron Bay and Grafton.

NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir, says anyone experiencing even the mildest of cold-like symptoms should come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received.

‘We thank people for their patience as there have been some delays at the Byron and
Lismore testing clinics. The LHD is allocating additional staff to the clinics to reduce
waiting times. Please bring a hat or sun protection and water.’

There are also other testing options available in the area.

A full list of your nearby testing locations can be found here. 

The LHD has implemented additional precautions. All visitors to Northern NSW
hospitals must wear a mask before entering facilities and the following visitor
restrictions are now in place:
• Patients can have two visitors twice a day for one hour. The visitors can be four
different people.
• Visiting arrangements for Maternity patients are unchanged.
For outpatient appointments and community services, telehealth appointments are
being utilised where possible.

Visitors to Northern NSW who arrived via Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport on the
following flights are advised that they must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943
553, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

A Sydney-based cabin crew member on these flights has been diagnosed with COVID-
19. All passengers on affected flights are being contacted.

Flight details are:

VA939 (Virgin) Friday 25 June
departed Sydney at 11.51am, arrived Brisbane at 1.25pm
VA517 (Virgin) Saturday 26 June
departed Sydney at 11.14am, arrived at the Gold Coast at 12.40pm

Anyone who attended the Sydney Airport T2 domestic terminal food court on Thursday
24 June between 5am and 10am is a close contact and must immediately get tested
and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they
have already been contacted by NSW Health.

Anyone who attended the T2 domestic terminal in all areas except the food court on
Thursday 24 June between 5am and 10am is a casual contact and must immediately
get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Please continue to
monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they develop.

To find your nearest clinic, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-
yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW.

Northern NSW Local Health District is expanding its capacity to provide COVID-19
vaccinations in the region, extending opening hours for the three clinics located at
Tweed Mall, Lismore Square Shopping Centre, and Link Arcade Grafton.

The Tweed and Lismore clinics are now operating seven days a week, while the Grafton
clinic will be open six days a week, Monday-Saturday.

Find the latest clinic information at the Eligibility Checker on the health.gov.au website.
Our clinic schedulers are working hard to schedule appointments for local residents,
and to return calls that are lodged through our call back system.

‘I would like to thank the community for their patience and assure people that everyone
who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated in due course as the Commonwealth
Government makes supplies available,’ said Ms Weir

Northern NSW residents and visitors are reminded that the following restrictions now
apply to NSW regional areas:
• People who have been in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast
and Wollongong on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a
period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast
and Wollongong.
• Visitors to households will be limited to five guests – including children;
• Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including
workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
• Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
• Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor
places of worship will not be allowed;
• Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however,
dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20
people);
• Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
• The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor
and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
• Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity.

 


Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.

Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19

An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.

Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab! 

The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. 

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally

COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.

COVID-19 update for New South Wales

Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.

Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...

The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.

Public transport mask mandate to end

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.

NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass

SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures.

COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.

AEC says COVID voters can phone from home

The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election.

COVID-19 update: May 16

The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests.

It’s National Volunteer Week

Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency.

COVID-19 update: May 9

Today there are 41 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none of these in ICU.

COVID-19 update: May 6

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reports that there are 37 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.

COVID-19 update: Monday 2 May

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday, 1 May, 274 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the area, including 56 positive PCR tests and 218 positive rapid antigen tests

COVID-19 update: Friday, April 29

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, 28 April, 398 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the region, including 74 positive PCR tests and 324 positive rapid antigen tests.

COVID-19 update: Thursday April 28

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, there were 541 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the region, including 143 positive PCR tests and 398 positive rapid antigen tests.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

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