The Illawarra Shoalhaven region recorded 23 cases, 10 in the Wollongong Local Government Area and 12 in Shellharbour to go along with the one Shoalhaven case.

That case takes the Shoalhaven numbers up to 15, following the two cases announced Wednesday morning.

While some regional areas were released from lockdowns, due to that case the Shoalhaven will remain under stay-at-home orders.

Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, the Eurobodalla, Bega and Wingecarribee shire will also remain in lockdown.

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Southern NSW also recorded three cases in the past 24 hours, two cases at Batemans Bay and one at Cooma as flagged on Wednesday.

But after 8pm Wednesday two further cases were also reported in Merimbula.

.The news comes on a day when NSW recorded 1405 cases in the past 24 hours, including six deaths.

The Western NSW recorded 24 cases, Far West four cases, the Hunter 12 cases and the Central Coast 22 cases.

NSW has recorded five deaths and 1405 new local COVID-19 cases as parts of regional NSW - but not Shellharbour, Kiama or the Shoalhaven - prepare to be released from lockdown and the government reveals its plan to ease Greater Sydney's restrictions.

In Greater Sydney, which includes Wollongong, lockdown will begin to wind up from October when the government expects double-dose vaccination coverage in NSW to reach 70 per cent, the premier announced on Thursday.

The government said it would not put a specific date on this change, with freedoms to be restored the Monday after the milestone is reached.

These freedoms will only be for the fully vaccinated.

They include up to five visitors allowed inside a home where all adults are vaccinated, and up to 20 people gathering in indoor settings.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to the "four square metre" rule, as can retail stores. The unvaccinated may only access critical retail outlets such as supermarkets.

The state also recorded five deaths - a woman in her 40s, two women in their 70s and two men in their 80s, all from Greater Sydney.

The deaths take the toll for the current outbreak to 153.

The entire state is currently locked down and police are cracking down on compliance measures as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain.

However, this will begin to wind up from October when the government expects double-dose vaccination coverage in NSW to reach 70 per cent.

The government said it would not put a specific date on this change, with freedoms to be restored the Monday after the milestone is reached.

These freedoms will only be for the fully vaccinated.

They include up to five visitors allowed inside a home where all adults are vaccinated, and up to 20 people gathering in indoor settings.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to the "four square metre" rule, as can retail stores. The unvaccinated may only access critical retail outlets such as supermarkets.

Personal services such as hairdressers can reopen with the same four square metre rule, as can gyms, and swimming pools can reopen.

Stadiums can again host events, capped at 5000 people, and up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

Cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries can also reopen, and up to 50 vaccinated guests can attend church services, weddings and funerals.

"You have been warned - come forward and get vaccinated or you won't be able to participate," Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters.

Travel to regional NSW for the fully vaccinated will also be permitted again.

Of the 1405 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 23 are from the Illawarra Shoalhaven. Across the state:

Australian Associated Press

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