NSW Health confirmed stay-at-home orders will be introduced from midnight tonight until October 11 and will apply to anyone who has been in the Gunnedah LGA since September 27.

"Everyone in this area must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can't work or study at home," a NSW Health spokesperson said.

"NSW Health will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation with COVID-19.

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"We urge people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms."

NSW Health warned vaccination rates are essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.

Five new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Gunnedah overnight on Monday, bringing the LGA's total outbreak to six.

All are believed to be linked to a single agricultural business and a confirmed case in Gunnedah announced on Sunday.

Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the latest outbreak goes to show "even the most diligent communities are still vulnerable".

"It's unfortunate we've got positive cases in our community considering all of the community have been so diligent following all of the health restrictions that have been put into place by the NSW Government," he said.

"To hear that NSW Health has determined we need to go into lockdown, it's a little frustrating, but the health and safety of our community has to be number one.

"We know there will be more businesses that will be affected and no doubt there will be added frustration but we can't lose sight of the fact we've come so far."

He stressed the importance of coming forward for testing, with drive through testing clinics at the Rural Health Centre carpark and from 1pm and Donnelly Fields 8am to 12pm.

Current Gunnedah exposure sites include the Gunnedah Hotel from 8:40 to 8:45pm on Tuesday, September 28 and Cellarbrations on Connadilly Street from 12:20 to 12:25pm on Tuesday, September 28.

Stay-at-home orders for Cowra and Port Macquarie LGAs will be lifted as scheduled from tomorrow, Tuesday, October 5.

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