All of Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong will go into lockdown from 6pm today.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the snap lockdown at a press conference at 2pm today.
It came after 12 additional COVID-19 cases were detected to 8pm last night.
Ms Berejiklian made the announcement shortly after a crisis Cabinet meeting and taking the advice of NSW Health and the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
The two-week lockdown will be in force until midnight on Friday, July 9, unless there is a "dramatic change" to case numbers.
Anyone from the areas that have been placed into lockdown, who have already left to go on holidays, must follow the same rules as if they were at home.
Dr Chant said this meant they could not attend a restaurant in the area they are visiting.
She said this applied to anyone who resides in the lockdown areas for 14 days from when they were in a hot spot, and dates back to June 21.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said a public health order would be drafted today to ensure anyone who is able to work from home can do so.
There will be four reasons people can leave home: shopping for food or other essential goods and services; medical care or compassionate needs; to exercise outdoors in groups of no more than 10 people, and essential work or education if you cannot do so from home.
