NSW: Byron Bay COVID-19 case doesn't believe in virus, not cooperating with authorities amid snap lockdown

A man who sparked a snap lockdown in Byron Bay doesn't believe in COVID-19 and isn't cooperating with authorities, a local councillor says. 

Byron Bay and the surrounding areas entered a snap seven-day lockdown on Monday amid fears of community transmission. 

It comes after the man in his fifties travelled from locked down Sydney to Byron Bay before testing positive for COVID-19. 

Speaking to the ABC, councillor Michael Lyon said the man hasn't cooperated with police or health authorities. 

"He travelled from Sydney with two kids, staying up here in Byron, been out and about a fair amount in the time. 

"We're going through trying to list all exposure sites and work out where he's been, and he hasn't been signing in and using QR codes, any of that...doesn't believe in it, it's a nightmare."

Lyon told the ABC the man's behaviour was unacceptable and disappointing. He said authorities are struggling to track down where he has been. 

"It's been very difficult for police and health authorities to track down where he's been, it's ridiculous, you have to wonder what people are thinking when it comes to a situation like this.

"He's been evasive from all accounts, in terms of the questioning, so there is some form of suspicion as to the reasons he's being evasive with questions, we don't know at this stage but it's disappointing," he said.

On Monday New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed 283 new community COVID-19 cases and one more death. 

The death was an unvaccinated woman in her 90s who was in palliative care.

Berejiklian said at least 64 of the new COVID-19 cases were infectious in the community.

There are 349 people in NSW hospitals - 67 of which are in intensive care, and 27 who need a ventilator.