New South Wales families struggling to pay their energy bills due to loss of wages brought on by the lengthy Covid-19 lockdown can now apply for a $1,600 government subsidy.
Those needing help were previously allowed to apply for a grant of $1,200 a year but this had now been bumped up by the state government in response to the ongoing lockdown which will not be lifted until the end of this month at the earliest.
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean said people struggling to pay bills should not hesitate to visit the Service NSW website to register for the voucher as soon as they need to.
Three schools across the Central Coast and Hunter region in New South Wales remain shut as residents prepare to enter a snap lockdown.
The NSW Government has announced a one-week lockdown for the Hunter and Upper Hunter region after five school students tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie lockdown will start from 5pm today and run until midnight, Thursday, August 12.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced a one-week lockdown for the Hunter region.(Nine)
NSW Health officials are investigating how the Delta variant was transmitted to the Hunter regions and Central Coast.
NSW health authorities believe the Newcastle/Hunter infections can be linked to a gathering at Blacksmiths Beach on Friday night.
NSW has reported 262 new local cases of COVID-19 and five deaths as the Hunter enters lockdown and the premier admits restrictions will stay for the long haul.