Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall took to social media to confirm a panel of health experts urgently met and decided a week-long lockdown was necessary for community health.

"I am very sorry and realise this was not the news many of you were wanting to hear, especially small business owners, and I fully appreciate the stress and strain this will place on you," he said.

The Glen Innes COVID-19 case is thought to have been infectious in the community for up to three days.

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Several exposure sites in the town have been listed, as well as one each in both Tamworth and Moonbi.

A panel of independent health experts and the state's chief health officer advised the snap lockdown would "safeguard against further spread of COVID-19 in Glen Innes", Mr Marshall said.

The lockdown rules will be the same as the stay at home orders that were in place just last week and will apply for seven days starting from 6pm on Friday.

"As announced at the time lockdowns were lifted across our region recently, if a case appeared which was active in the community, that LGA [local government area] would be placed into a 14 day lockdown," Mr Marshall said.

"Only seven days has been recommended and agreed for the Glen Innes LGA based on the level of risk posed to the community."

Glen Innes is the only LGA affected by this announcement.

Lockdown remains lifted in Tamworth and Gunnedah.

NSW Health is yet to make a statement.

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