As New South Wales opens up, the state has recorded 496 new local cases overnight, while eight people have died.
The Hunter New England health district has confirmed 82 cases, with 21 on the Central Coast.
The mid north coast has five – all in Kempsey – and there are four new positives in northern New South Wales.
A number of schools across our regions are closed for cleaning and contact tracing.
NORTH WEST:
Hillvue Public School, Tamworth South Public School, Tamworth High School.
LAKE MACQUARIE:
Kahibah Public School, Hillsborough Public School
NORTH COAST:
South Grafton Public School, Ballina Public School
73.5 percent of people aged above 16 are fully vaccinated across New South Wales.
90.3 percent of the same age group have received their first dose.
As many businesses open up for the first time in months, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is encouraging people to be patient.
“There are going to be challenges – we know that,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I ask everybody right across the state, treat everyone with kindness and respect.”
