NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro backs COVID free council areas coming out of lockdown

Regional NSW will learn on Thursday morning whether the lockdown ends after two weeks.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Wednesday his confidence levels about emerging from lockdown had been shaken by the state recording 919 daily cases and fresh concerns at Merimbula based on a "high level" sewage test ping.

He said NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was deeply worried about regional NSW, but confirmed Albury and other border councils had a strong case to be released if a targeted approach to ending lockdown was ticked off.

"We were concerned about the outbreak in regional Victoria and places like Shepparton," Mr Barilaro said.

"But nothing is showing up.

"The sewage surveillance is not showing anything down that way, through contact tracing we're not seeing any exposure sites being identified.

"It's a good position to be in right now.

"If we go by the shire by shire approach that part of the world could possibly come out of lockdown."

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Federation Council mayor Pat Bourke fears lockdown won't end Saturday, but supports areas being freed when safe.

"I liken it to footrot in sheep," he said.

"If you've got footrot you isolate the mob, leave a bit of space between them, but you don't shut down the whole farm do you?

"The LGA approach would be good to just get the economy running again.

"Also if COVID pops you can put all your efforts, testing into that one spot."

Mr Barilaro said Dr Chant didn't want the Sydney crisis replicated in regional NSW.

"I've got to accept her advice, but I've also got to put forward the view that there are parts of the state that don't believe they should be locked down," he said.

"My position from last week to this week hasn't improved.

"Every day we've talked about another new area that may have had a case or bit of sewage surveillance."

Mr Barilaro said a majority of local health district chief executives supported a lockdown extension.

He was "very concerned" about Merimbula, which is in the border bubble.

"It was a high level positive (sewage surveillance) test," he said.

"We still have authorised workers, truck drivers, construction workers, health workers, disability workers, who move around."

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