COVID-19 restrictions currently being enforced in regional NSW have been extended by a week following an announcement from the state government this morning.

The restrictions - along with a lockdown being enforced in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour - were due to come to an end on Friday 9 July.

Following the announcement on Wednesday 7 July, they will now continue until 11.59pm on Friday 16 July.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told media the government had made the decision based on the ongoing cases of community transmission in Greater Sydney and resulting updated health advice.

"This decision is based on health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant and will assist NSW Health’s efforts to contain the delta strain," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Our first and foremost priority is to protect the health and safety of the community. 

"The delta strain requires a different response to previous outbreaks, and until the majority of our population is vaccinated, we cannot live as freely as we would like to. 

"We would like to thank the community and businesses for their patience and understanding during this time."

According to the government, face-to-face learning will still resume in regional NSW when school returns on Tuesday, 13 July.

Schools and students in Greater Sydney will commence online learning for four days, though schools will remain open to students who need them.

Ms Berejiklian also encouraged Sydney residents to continue to come forward for necessary COVID-19 testing to help NSW Health find any unrecognised chains of transmission in the NSW community.

"In coming days, the NSW Government will detail a plan for exiting from restrictions to give the community and businesses certainty in the coming weeks and months," she said.

For all the latest information about COVID-19 in NSW, click here.