Premier fears 'major setback' as NSW enjoys more freedoms

• 1257 new cases of Covid-19 in NSW

• 'Do not get complacent': Premier warns of 'major setback'

• NSW waited two days to lock down after super-spreader problem

NSW has announced 1257 new cases of community-transmitted Covid-19 as new freedoms begin for Sydneysiders who are fully vaccinated.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Monday there have also been seven more deaths. They were all people aged from 60 to 90.

She also flagged concerns about growing cases in inner Sydney suburbs.

“In Greater Sydney area, however, we are seeing a stablisation in some local government areas of concern and that's positive. We hope that continues,” she said.

“However, we have also seen an increase in cases as we mentioned yesterday and the day before in the inner city areas of Glebe and Redfern.

“And we ask communities in those areas to please come forward and get vaccinated but also to make sure they're sticking to the Covid restrictions.”

Sunday was expected to be the last day health officials and the premier fronted the media to announce the daily number of reported Covid-19 cases, but the premier fronted the media again on Monday. The state recorded 1262 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday.

The premier told reporters she was always scheduled to speak to reporters on Monday.

"Obviously today is the first day many people have freedoms they didn't have before and I want to stress that nothing has changed from my comments from last week," Ms Berejiklian said.

"I'm on the job 24/7. In addition to managing the pandemic, we manage the state moving forward and I will be - I'm always available, but I won't necessarily be here everyday at 11am."

'Do not get complacent'

Sydneysiders on Monday woke up to eased restrictions, but the premier warned people not be complacent.

Up to five fully-vaccinated adults who live outside the councils of concern can gather outdoors within five kilometres of their home. There is no time limit for the gatherings but fines will apply if any of the five members of the group have not had their second jab.

Vaccinated households that live in the 12 local government areas of concern will be able to gather outdoors for recreation, including for a picnic, for up to two hours within five kilometres of home.

"I urge the community, please do not get complacent, do not let your guard down, because any event that we don't anticipate or expect could see our major setback and none of us want to see that happen," Ms Berejiklian said.

The 12 LGAs of concern are: Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some suburbs of Penrith.

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Health authorities 'knew of super spreader party' days before lockdown

Health authorities reportedly knew a super spreader event had not been contained days before Greater Sydney went into lockdown.

The West Hoxton party, which led to 51 cases, was discovered by authorities on June 21, the ABC reported.

This was confirmed by the health department in a statement to the ABC however NSW Health said it only learned of additional attendees at the party on June 24. Yahoo News Australia has contacted NSW Health for comment.

Greater Sydney went into lockdown on June 26. Parts of Sydney started earlier though after being locked down on June 25.

The premier said the NSW government took advice to lock down "within hours" of being told to do so.

She added the advice was "quite immediate".

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