Many had already been anticipating this might be the case with rising case numbers of COVID-19's Delta strain in Sydney, as well as in other areas such as Dubbo and Walgett.

However, the news did come as a shock to many with just a couple of hours notice given by the NSW government, who made the announcement regional NSW would be going into a seven-day lockdown on social media.

Supermarkets in Leeton shire were inundated with residents prior to 5pm on Saturday as the community raced to stock up.

However, these supermarkets and other essential stores will remain open during the lockdown, so residents have been advised not to panic.

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On Monday morning, the NSW government reported 478 new cases of the virus, the highest number yet for the state throughout the entirety of the pandemic.

Leeton shire mayor Paul Maytom urged residents to follow the rules in the hopes that regional NSW would come out of the snap lockdown on time.

"I do encourage everyone to follow the rules that are in place," councillor Maytom said.

"I will say I don't think we should have gotten to this point with everything that has been happening in Sydney, but now it's up to us to follow the rules and play our part.

"Since masks were introduced (indoors) I have seen great compliance across the shire, so we need to keep that up."

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Cr Maytom said he felt for the businesses and residents in the shire who had been forced to close and have their incomes halted during this time.

"We all have to support each other during these times ... the other thing I would say to people is to get vaccinated," he said.

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