SYDNEY will lock down until the end of September in what NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has billed the "final measures" to tighten the screws on COVID-19's spread.
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Another 27 cases of the virus were picked up in the Western NSW LHD to 8pm on Thursday, bringing our region's total to 194, but it was the extension of the greater Sydney lockdown that dominated Friday's NSW update.
It comes a day after the Central Coast and Shellharbour slated to separate from the Greater Sydney umbrella.
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They will not be included in the longer lockdown, which Ms Berejiklian takes effect from Monday at midnight.
Masks will also be mandatory outdoors across the state until August 28.
The Sydney LGA measures include curfews from 9pm to 5am in the Sydney local government areas of concern.
"Delta doesn't leave any room for error," Ms Berejiklian said. "I apologise to the vast majority of people in those communities doing the right thing."
We've thrown everything at this, and now it's time to bunker down.
- NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian
"We've thrown everything at this, and now it's time to bunker down."
Ms Berejiklian said what life looked like after 6 million were vaccinated in NSW would be laid out next week, in addition to a plan for schools.
Exercise will be cut back to an hour a day in the areas of concern, Ms Berejiklian said.
"Police have given us feedback that a handful of people unfortunately are doing the wrong thing where that is concerned," she said.
Regional or metropolitan, Ms Berejiklian said mask wearing had to tighten.
"Unless you are exercising, masks should be worn everywhere outdoors in NSW," he said.
"Even when you are exercising, you need to have the mask with you in case you are doing some strenous exercise and you come into contact with somebody else."
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said it was now an offence to leave Sydney for regional NSW without a permit, even if permits were pending.
Ms Berejiklian said the state recorded 642 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday, and at least 41 - a number Ms Berejiklian said would increase - were infectious in the community.
132,000 vaccinations were delivered in the same period.
"Our aim is always keeping out of hospital, keeping people alive and well," she said.
"If we keep this rate going, we will hit all our targets in regards to vaccination."
29 per cent of the state's population is now fully inoculated.
The state also recorded four deaths who were either unvaccinated or had received just one dose of vaccine, Ms Berejiklian said.
The statewide lockdown was extended until at least August 28 on Thursday.
A permit system for people leaving Sydney is due to come into force on Saturday.
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