LOCKDOWNS and tighter restrictions could be on the way for NSW, after the state recorded 172 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, with 60 people infectious while in the community.
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Another 19 people were in the community for part of their infectious period.
It's a long way from the "close to zero" target that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said will allow restrictions to ease across the state.
"We know the strategy of restrictions and vaccinations will be our recipe for freedom," Ms Berejiklian said.
"We have our own course here in NSW and a mission to keep our community safe, but also to make sure we can live life more freely."
The premier hopes to make an announcement on Wednesday about what the restrictions would look like after July 31.
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The premier said from Wednesday, people over 18 in Sydney will be able to get the AstraZeneca vaccines from pharmacies.
From Friday, state vaccine centres would also begin accepting people over 18 to have the AstraZeneca vaccine.
There were 85,000 people tested in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Monday.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty said of the new cases, 87 were linked to known cases or clusters.
There are now 171 patients in NSW hospitals with COVID-19. Of those, 46 are in intensive care, and 19 are ventilated.