Walgett, Dubbo join NSW regions in lockdown

A one-week snap lockdown now applies to Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett and Warren LGAs, while authorities scramble to ascertain all exposure sites included.

The man visited Dubbo and Bathurst and is believed to have been infectious since Thursday, while Bathurst's prison has also been locked down.

The newly locked-down regional areas join Dubbo, Tamworth, the Northern Rivers, Armidale, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, and Muswellbrook.

The updated list of the state's exposures sites is here.

At a parliamentary inquiry yesterday, the NSW education minister could not give a date for when most students can return to classrooms.

Sarah Mitchell said it will be weeks before there's any clarity on what is happening for students.

The Victorian government is set to announce its latest rescue package for businesses affected by the extended Melbourne lockdown.

It will be the third round of funding in as many weeks, with $800 million in support already announced.

Double quarantine for SA Olympians

South Australia is inflicting a cruel double quarantine on Olympians which risks the mental wellbeing of athletes, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) says.

The AOC says the SA government's decision to enforce another 14-day quarantine on athletes returning to the state - on top of their current 14-day period served elsewhere - defies medical advice.

Australia's Olympic team chief medical officer David Hughes says the SA government decision is flawed.

"To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is ... unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified," Dr Hughes said in a statement on Wednesday.

"It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals."

Under-age drinking in regional Australia

A study has shown more than a quarter of Australians aged 16 and 17 are allowed to drink at home, with researchers warning parents against supervised consumption.

About 35 per cent in outer regional or remote areas allowed to drink at home, compared to 30 per cent in inner regional areas and 25 per cent in major cities.