NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says there is a "real chance" of regional areas of the state enduring a 14-day lockdown.
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Mr Barilaro said it was a "50-50 call" whether the lockdown would end at 12.01am Sunday.
"We look for an incubation period of 14 days, that's why you have 14 days quarantining, so I would say at this stage on what the numbers look like, especially in western NSW, there is a real chance we'll end up going to a 14-day lockdown," he said.
Active COVID cases, the detection of viral fragments in sewage and number of diagnoses in nearby areas are the key criteria that will be assessed in determining the end of lockdown.
Concerningly for the Riverina there were 19 cases reported in Canberra on Monday, with Albury MP Justin Clancy saying possible interactions out of the ACT would be crucial to restrictions remaining or rising.
Mr Barilaro said if there was a lifting this weekend it would probably involve the whole of regional NSW barring western areas and Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
He said if the lockdown went to 14 days there would then be a "very localised approach" to easing it.
The efforts of those along the NSW-Victorian frontier in dealing with different state COVID rules were noted.
"That whole Murray border has had more pain than mostly any other border, that's a concern, and we don't want to inflict any further pain," Mr Barilaro said.
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"Again when you have no cases and there is no detection through surveillance of either contact tracers or movement of people or sewerage surveillance we'd more than happy....to go back to a very localised LGA approach, not a statewide approach."
Mr Barilaro said businesses in the regional lockdown were eligible for government assistance and encouraged those wanting to know more to look at the Service NSW website.
Mr Clancy repeated his desire for a "timely" lifting of the lockdown but warned of the need to stay disciplined and obey stay-at-home rules.
"It's a bit like the final quarter, when you are tired that's when you've got to give it your best and that's when we've got to show, as a community, our resolve to get all of our community through this safely and that's all of us playing our part, doing our bit," he said.
Mr Clancy noted increases in fines, particularly for those leaving Sydney, which he called for on Friday, but at the same time said "unfortunately....some people will still not be compliant despite the higher penalties".
Mr Barilaro said based on activity on the Service NSW website he hoped the higher fines were raising more questions among potential wrong-doers and making them fearful.
