Today's covid update focuses on common sense - often not so common - as towns in lockdown are able to enjoy some increased freedom to gather and move and those out of lockdown see businesses re-open and an increase in social contact.

Up to 8pm on Friday 17 September 17 new cases were identified in the Western NSW Local Health District with 10 in the Dubbo Regional local government area, 2 in Walgett, 2 in Warrumbungle, 1 in Bathurst, 1 in Bourke and 1 in Mudgee.

The Narromine Shire case announced yesterday was revealed as a 'false positive' so now new cases have been recorded in that area.

Across the Western Plains area the Gilgandra, Walgett, Bourke, Brewarrina and Narromine shires remain in lockdown.

So far there is no news of Warrumbungle Shire going into lockdown, despite now having a total of 3 positive cases. The two new cases are household contacts of the first case in Mendooran.

There is also no advice that Gilgandra can exit lockdown even though the last of their six positive cases was identified more than 14 days ago on 2 September.

Bourke shire has reached a total of 71 cases in the Bourke township and 25 in Enngonia. There are 32 people currently receiving care and 56 have been discharged form care in the last 14 days.

Brewarrina shire's last case was notified on 6 September and of their 9 cases, 7 were in Goodooga and 2 in the Brewarrina township. Six people have been discharged from care in the past fortnight. Authorities say there is still no clear indication of how the infection entered the Brewarrina community.

There are 26 cases attached to the Walgett cluster however six of those are not isolating in the area. Of the 26 cases 18 are currently receiving care in Walgett LGA and 2 have been discharged from care in last 14 days. Walgett's two new cases yesterday are also household contacts of earlier cases, so already in isolation.

Bogan, Cobar, Coonamble, Warren and Lachlan shires remain out of lockdown.

Testing picks up

Testing rates saw a bit of an upswing with 2900 tests across the health district yesterday, almost three times the number of a day or so before.

The Bourke community was congratulated for a consistently high rate of testing, continuing at 80 or more people per day. Trangie also saw more than 200 people turn out in their first couple of days of testing.

Possibly the new regime of 'surveillance testing' has encouraged more people to participate in the locations where it applies.

This includes Walgett, Trangie, Lightning Ridge, Bourke and Brewarrina.

Surveillance testing means that people who aren’t close contacts, or who don’t have any symptoms, are not required to self-isolate until they get their results.

New exemptions for travellers

There have been two new exemptions brought in to help people in a general area (LGA not in lockdown) who enter a “stay-at-home” area for the sole purpose of receiving MEDICAL or HEALTH CARE or to OBTAIN ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES.

Under the medical/health care exemption, you will not have to isolated on returning home, as long as you:

· Travel in a private vehicle (not public transport)

· Use the most direct route

· Travel along (other than another person receiving care, a carer or a dependent)

· Don’t stay overnight

· Leave the stay at home area as soon as reasonably possible after receiving the medical or health care

· Take all practical steps to not enter any premises in a stay at home area other than the place where the person is receiving medical or health care

Here's the link for more information on this exemption.

For those in a general area who are travelling into a “stay-at-home” area to obtain necessary supplies, including fuel, which is reasonably necessary for the vehicle the person is travelling in, stopping to rest or have a meal, as long as that rest or meal is outdoors in a public area.

To find out more use this link.

Increased police presence on roads

Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie encouraged people to continue to focus on getting vaccinated but to use common sense as they begin to move around.

"People are still moving around against the health orders and we've had to deal with a few repeat offenders who struggle to abide by the stay at home orders," Mr McKechnie said.

"There were 60 PINs (public infringement notices) issued yesterday, which is down on recent times but still way too many."

"It is about common sense and about protecting the community," he said.

"We want to make sure we get as many of our folks through this as we can."

He warned people to expect to be stopped by police and not to be concerned about this but to ensure they are prepared.

Mr McKechnie also warned that police will not be tolerant of excuses for those not wearing masks, not social distancing or breaching rules around travel.

"We have an increased highway patrol presence on our roads at present," he said.

"There's a lot of covid out there, and even if you're vaccinated you can still get it and transfer it to someone else."

"You have to have evidence of your vaccination status, or that you're from the same household, and you have to have it with you."

"Not being able to download the app or not carrying your certificate is not going to cut it," Mr McKechnie said.