The Central Coast has been removed from Greater Sydney as part of the NSW government's COVID-19 response, Deputy Premier John Barilaro says.
This means the Coast will have a better chance of having lockdown restrictions eased sooner than Sydney.
It also means the Coast will be classified the same asthe Hunterand that people will be able to travel between the two regions for authorised reasons - such as work - without a permit.
"We're redefining Greater Sydney and excluding Shellharbour and the Central Coast," Mr Barilaro said.
"So from here onwards the Central Coast and Shellharbour will be treated as regional."
Mr Barilaro said the government's permit system begins on Saturday.
People could go from Sydney to the regions with a permit to buy a home, but "not an investment property".
They'll also need a permit to travel to second homes for work, maintenance and animal welfare.
"All workers leaving Greater Sydney will now need a permit and be COVID-tested in the previous seven days before they go to regional and rural NSW," he said.
Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said residents on the Coast had "long been questioning why they were included in the Greater Sydney bubble".
"The announcement of travel permits for those leaving Greater Sydney has caused anxiety in the community," said Ms Catley, whose electorate traverses the Coast and the Hunter.
"The decision today to declare Central Coast as regional is welcomed by the community, and finally gives certainty to the region after the mixed messaging by the government."
The Central Coast recorded one case of COVID-19 on Thursday.
"The case is in isolation, with the source of the infection under investigation," Central Coast Health said.
The Coast recorded zero cases on Wednesday. One positive case was recorded on Tuesday.
"The case is a household contact of a previously identified case and has been in isolation for their entire infectious period," Central Coast Health said.
On Monday, there were two positive cases on the Coast. Both were household contacts linked to the Lake Munmorah Public School cluster. One case was infectious in the community. All close contacts have been identified and are in isolation.
The Coast has recorded 36 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak in June.
