NSW Health has confirmed social media posts by Deputy Premier John Barilaro that all regional areas will be subject to a stay-at-home order for the next seven days.

"To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for all of regional NSW, effective from 5pm [Saturday] until 12.01am Sunday 22 August 2021," a NSW Health statement said.

"Following updated health advice from NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant, stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in regional NSW.

"This means the whole of NSW will be under stay at home restrictions from 5pm today. This new order will replace any existing orders in regional NSW."

Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang urged people not to panic buy as supermarkets and food shops would remain open throughout the lockdown.

"The chemists will be open and you will be able to go to the doctor. Nothing that is essential is going to be closed and so there's no need to panic," he said.

"While it is short notice, given the case numbers today out of Sydney and particularly for us, the numbers out of Canberra and Dubbo local government areas and the sewerage traces that are being detected across the state, it is important that we lock down for seven days.

"If we get this right, we will be in a much better position when we come out of it."

Wagga has seen a rush at supermarkets across the city in short time since word about a lockdown started to get around, even though food shopping will be one of the exempt activities to the lockdown.

The reasons people may leave home include:

Many types retail shops and all non-takeaway hospitality services will be required to close for the lockdown period.

"Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends," a NSW Health statement said.

"People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers' responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.

"All hospitality venues must be closed to the public, including pubs, restaurants and cafes, except for takeaway."

Retail premises are required to close except for:

Service stations, banks, post offices, laundromats and drycleaners can remain open.

Residents in areas like Wagga were given about 2.5 hours' notice of the lockdown after some Nationals MPs and Mr Barilaro started making social media posts on Saturday afternoon.

The possibility of a statewide lockdown was not mentioned at Saturday morning's COVID-19 press conference, where NSW Premier Gladys Berejikian said the state was facing its "most concerning day" of the pandemic so far with new peak of 466 COVID-19 cases and four deaths.

Independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr said he encouraged everyone to stick to the rules as NSW headed into lockdown.

"Medical appointments are a valid reason to leave home during the lockdown, so I encourage everyone with a vaccination booked to still get that jab if they can," he said.

"We also need to look after each other during this challenging time."

"While the announcement of the lockdown was sudden, I don't think it was entirely unexpected. It is the right thing to do and I encourage the community to adhere to the lockdown rules."

Dr McGirr also welcomed the introduction of a permit system from next week for anyone who wants to enter regional NSW.

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said it was disappointing that a lockdown had to to implemented, and a such short notice, but he could understand the reasons behind it.

"I found out via the media early this afternoon. It's going to have a big economic impact on this city, which is really disappointing. It's been a tough 18 months and it's going to continue for a fair bit longer.

"As far as Wagga City Council is concerned, the Livestock Marketing Centre will continue to operate as it's an essential service, the airport will continue to operate and the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre will also continue to operate; everything else will be closed including the Oasis Centre.

"People are allowed to exercise [during the lockdown] but we have decided to close Oasis as people can use it socialise and we thought it was easier to close that facility down. The council office will be closed on Monday but people will still be able to phone. We will reassess our position on Monday."

Cr Conkey said he would have preferred more notice before the lockdown and he was not sure everybody would have heard the news by 5pm.

"I would hope the law enforcement officers would give some leeway who may not have heard, but I am sure that will be the case, he said.

"The lockdown is for seven days. I question whether it will be for just seven days. We will keep our fingers crossed that is is over by seven days.

"The number of cases in Sydney today was alarming and it has been a small number of people in Sydney that have flouted regulations and closed the whole state down."

NSW Health has said that anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times during the lockdown.

"They must be worn when working outdoors, by all school staff, by all people in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food," the NSW Health statement said.

"Every employer across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.

"It is a reasonable excuse to leave your home for work - but only if it is not practicable to work from home."

There will be a one-day 'grace period' for planned weddings and funerals in the regional areas that have not already been subject to a lockdown.

Those events may go ahead until 12.01am on Monday 16 August 2021, but only with guests from areas that have not already been subject to a lockdown.

From Monday, small funerals and memorial services of 10 persons only (excluding the persons conducting the service) will be permitted.

NSW Health has urged people to continue to present for testing with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms.

There are more than 440 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest testing clinic, visit the NSW Health website.

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