NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the statewide lockdown is "designed to be hard and fast" but won't declare if the Riverina will be released earlier than other regions if it remains COVID-free.
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The Nationals leader was asked on Sunday if the lockdown would stay in the Riverina if virus case numbers remain up in other regional areas.
Mr Barilaro replied: "This lockdown across the regions is designed to be hard and fast, encompassing the whole state for seven days, in the hope that we squash this virus as quickly as possible."
His Nationals colleague and Riverina Upper House MP Wes Fang said "given we've been very good at keeping this area safe I would hope it's only a seven-day lockdown".
"I don't think speculation as to how we come out of this is particularly helpful at the moment because circumstances between now and next Sunday can change," he said.
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"I think it's really important people just abide by the rules and stay at home."
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said he would like a "timely lifting" of the lockdown but noted the importance of no cases spreading from the COVID-hit ACT to the Riverina was crucial given ties particularly between Canberra and Wagga.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton believes the state government will use rising Dubbo numbers to maintain a rural lockdown.
"They'll just do a broad-brushed thing, they don't have consideration for regional areas." she said.
"John Barilaro is blocking out everyone on Twitter and then he tweets out information," she said.
Government MPs were urged to disseminate the news, with a second Sydney media conference on Saturday, after the regular 11am forum, deemed to be time consuming ahead of the 5pm lockdown start.
Mr Clancy was told by Ms Berejiklian around 12.45pm.
"I acknowledge the suddenness of the decision," Mr Clancy said.
"I appreciate it would have had significant impacts on our hospitality businesses, but obviously (the) Health (department) felt there was an urgency to make that decision."
Mr Fang did not know why a media conference was passed over, but said he was briefed by Mr Barilaro alongside Independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr and other non-Liberal regional politicians.
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