The total number of cases in the Hunter New England Health district stands at 271.

These figures are provided by NSW Health, and are updated daily here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-lga.aspx.

See the list of what's been postponed, cancelled or closed in the Cessnock area in response to these restrictions, and previous blog updates, below.

Cessnock City Council has closed a number of public toilets, sporting facilities, parks and community halls to help 'slow the spread' of COVID-19 and to prioritise the wellbeing of council staff, volunteers and the community. Read more at cessnock.nsw.gov.au.

Stay tuned to cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au for more information on rescheduled dates at the performing arts centre.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area remains at 24, as of 8pm Wednesday - a figure that has remained stable since last Thursday. These figures are provided by NSW Health, and are updated daily here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-lga.aspx.

Double demerit points are in force from midnight on Thursday until 11:59pm on Monday as part of the annual Easter long weekend police operation, and motorists will be questioned as to why they are out and about if police stop them for suspected offences. Read more here.

Looking to cure your self-isolation boredom this long weekend? Why not join Cessnock City Library's free 24/7 e-Branch. Members can access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, eMusic, eFilms, documentaries and TV shows. Read more here.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area remains at 24, as of 8pm Tuesday - a figure that has remained stable since Thursday.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area remains at 24, as of 8pm Monday - a figure that has remained stable since Thursday.

A a group of local doctors want to make sure Cessnock Hospital's emergency department continues to function as usual if the coronavirus crisis worsens, by offering to close their practices one day a fortnight to keep the department running should the need arise. Read more about it here.

Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service has introduced CYCOS Online as a way to continue to engage with young people during the crisis. Read all about it here.

And here's a warm and fuzzy story for your Tuesday: Staff at Stanford Merthyr Infants School have donned superhero costumes to film an online PE class for their students who are learning from home during the pandemic. Check it out here.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area remains at 24, as of 8pm Sunday - a figure that has remained stable since Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Newcastle Herald revealed on Saturday that postcode 2325 (which includes Cessnock, Aberdare, Nulkaba, Bellbird and more) has the highest number of cases per postcode in the Lower Hunter. Read more here.

As of 8pm Thursday, there were 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area, an increase of one in the previous 24 hours. The total number of confirmed cases in the Hunter New England Health District is 241.

As of 8pm Wednesday, there were 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area, an increase of three cases in the previous 24 hours. The total number of confirmed cases in the Hunter New England Health District is 234, with three additional cases under investigation.

Cessnock City Council has announced it will close the Cessnock Waste Management Centre and Greta Transfer Station to the public as of Friday, April 3. Read more here.

The 2020 council elections have been postponed until at least September 2021. Read more here.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area remains at 16, stable in the 24 hours until 8pm Monday.

The total number of cases across the Hunter New England Health district has reached 208, with 12 patients in hospital, including seven in intensive care.

The Cessnock council election, which was scheduled for September this year, has been postponed for at least 12 months.

THE number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Hunter has reached 200, including 16 cases in the Cessnock local government area.

The Advertiser has published our list of businesses that are open or still providing services during the coronavirus crisis. Read more here, and submit your business's details here.

Cessnock City Council has asked residents to make sure they put their bins out the night before pickup, as collection is set to start earlier in some areas, with staggered start times to allow for social distancing between staff.

The government toughened its social distancing measures overnight, with gatherings of no more than two people permitted, and people over 70 strongly encouraged to self-isolate.

Hunter New England Health has revealed there are 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cessnock local government area. Read more here.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr has ceased face-to-face services at his office today, as NSW Labor calls for a statewide lockdown.

Cessnock City Council has closed barbecues, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks today, but is maintaining services via phone, email or its website.

Cessnock East Public School and West Cessnock's Cafe Manuela are offering two very different kinds of drive-through services during the coronavirus crisis - with a home reading service at the school, and takeaway cocktails available at the cafe.

Cessnock Retired Mineworkers have informed us that all of their branch meetings have been cancelled until further notice due to the crisis.

Coalfields Cancer Support Group's upcoming bingo day at Bellbird Bowling Club has also been postponed until further notice.

Cessnock City Council has closed its administration building and Hunter Valley Visitor Centre to the public, and has cancelled its April 1 meeting. Read more here.

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in the Hunter New England Health district now stands at 103, an increase of 31 cases in 24 hours. Read more here.

The government has tightened the shutdown further, closing seating in food courts, open homes and beauty salons other than hairdressers from midnight on Wednesday. Read more here.

And now for some good news - Cessnock's Wild Learning will hold an online singalong in Saturday evening. Read more here.

The number of cases of COVID-19 reported in the Hunter New England Health district has jumped to 72, with a further 25 cases reported overnight. Read the Newcastle Herald's paywall-free report here.

Churches around the nation have now closed their doors, but some - including Cessnock's Beyond Church - have turned to technology as a way to connect with their parishioners and community.

Sad news from local charity Hunter Hands of Hope, which has ceased service due to concerns about social distancing measures.

Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries will closed as of 5pm Tuesday, while its 24/7 e-Branch remains open. Check out the Cessnock City Library Facebook page includes a demonstration for how to access e-magazines, e-books, e-films and e-music.

The Advertiser has set up an online form to create a local business directory that will be published and promoted on our website. Let us know if you're open for business here.

5.30PM UPDATE

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Hunter has reached 47, as Hunter New England Health postpones non-urgent surgeries to prepare for an expected surge in cases. Read the Newcastle Herald's paywall-free report here.

Clubs, pubs and dine-in restaurants closed their doors today, leaving hundreds of Cessnock-area people out of work in what's set to be a challenging few months for the hospitality industry.

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre has also closed until further notice following the Federal Government's latest round of measures to contain the COVID-19 crisis.

Along with the performing arts centre, Cessnock City Council announced several other changes to its operations, including the temporary closure of Cessnock Youth Centre (with a virtual drop-in to be trialled); the closure of face-to-face services at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries (effective from 5pm Tuesday); and the closure of Marthaville Arts and Cultural Centre, Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre and Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre.

Read more about the changes to council facilities and services here.

10AM UPDATE

The Federal Government has ordered Australia's pubs, clubs and dine-in restaurants to close by noon today as it ramps up efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Churches, casinos, cinemas, gyms, indoor spots venues and entertainment venues must also close, along with the licensed parts of hotels; while restaurants and cafes can still serve takeaway and do home delivery, but sit-down meals are banned.

Shopping centres and schools remain open, for now.

As of Sunday, 30 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in the Hunter New England Health district.