Griffith streets empty as city plunged into lockdown with COVID-19 cases spreading across NSW

The silence comes just days after the city was thrown into panic, when the NSW Government announced a snap seven-day lockdown across the state on Saturday afternoon.

The news resulted in a rush of Griffith residents flooding to supermarkets and bottleshops, as they looked to stock up on supplies ahead of the 5pm start to the lockdown.

Griffith mayor John Dal Broi said the reaction over the weekend was disappointing.

"Supermarkets across Griffith were inundated with panic buyers, shelves were stripped clean and staff members were run off their feet," Councillor Dal Broi said.

"I would like to remind everyone that this is unnecessary, dangerous and inconsiderate behavior - supermarkets are an essential service and will not be closed over the next week, deliveries will still be made and stock available."

The lockdown means Griffith residents now have only four reasons they may leave their home: medical care, work, exercise and shopping for essentials.

Cr Dal Broi said it was crucial for the community to work together and adhere to the rules over the course of the seven-day lockdown.

"It is important to remember we are all in this together, and need to ensure we are acting with the entire communities best interest at heart," he said.

"Please listen to the advice from the NSW Government, adhere to the lockdown and restrictions and only leave your home if you absolutely must."

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The lockdown is scheduled to end at 12:01am on Sunday morning but would likely be extended if cases continue to spread across NSW.

There has not been a case of COVID-19 in the Riverina for over a year, however the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) warned that an outbreak was "inevitable" last week.

"Let's look after each other in this very very difficult time and know that we will probably have an outbreak here at some point in time, but we are doing all we possibly can to be ready," MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford advised.

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