The eight cases are among 179 cases recorded across NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of the eight new cases in the Illawarra - six are from the Wollongong LGA, with five living in the 2500 (Wollongong/ North Wollongong) postcode and one in the 2518 (Corrimal/ Towradgi) postcode. Five of the six are linked to known cases.

Read more: NSW confirms Omicron variant in four cases

Investigations are ongoing into another of the eight cases, from the 2529 (Oak Flats/ Shellharbour City) postcode in the Shellharbour LGA.

Investigations are also ongoing into the last of the eight cases - from the 2533 postcode (Kiama/ Jamberoo) in the Kiama LGA.

There have now been 2544 cases of COVID-19 in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District since the start of the current outbreak in June.

As at 8pm last night, there were four people being treated in hospital in the region as a result of COVID-19.

New rules for returning travellers regarding the Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern are now in place. In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice. It is an offence not to comply with a Public Health Order and penalties can apply. Compliance checks will be undertaken.

It is critical that anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.

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