Byron Bay hostel in week-long Covid lockdown as school leavers arrive to party

More than 80 backpackers at a Byron Bay hostel on the New South Wales north coast have been placed into a week-long lockdown after a guest tested positive to Covid-19.

The lockdown comes as thousands of celebrating school leavers are due to arrive in Byron Bay and other parts of northern NSW over the next month from this weekend.

The Ballina state MP, Tamara Smith, posted on Facebook on Wednesday night about the situation at the Aquarius Backpackers.

Thousands of higher school certificate students are about to descend on the resort town for schoolies celebrations.

Some 80.9% of residents in the Byron Bay local government area are fully vaccinated. Although high, the coverage rate lags the state average of 92%.

Officers say they will be conducting a high-visibility operation targeting drug and alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated year 12 students have been granted an exemption to attend year 12 formals, dinners or graduations.

There are reports that NSW Health bureaucrats are pushing to keep masks mandatory in shops during the entire festive season.