He said that it has been hard to upgrade the volume of the Pfizer vaccines to the degree that we need to get a rapid vaccination rollout.

"And so I guess there is a little bit of pragmatism that's coming into it as well, certainly in other countries in Europe, they are using the AstraZeneca in younger population groups," he said.

"So if people can get the Pfizer under 60, then great, get it.

"But if there are really long waiting lists to get the Pfizer and people are keen to get vaccinated, and that's a good thing to do, because the sooner we can all get vaccinated the sooner we can start travelling, the sooner we don't keep going in all these lockdowns, you know, there are big social benefits for us all getting vaccinated."

Dr Stiles said he could understand why people are becoming frustrated not being able to get vaccinated because the rollout has been slower than many would have liked.

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"The general practices are trying to do as much as they can, in terms of the vaccines that were given to roll them out to the community, we're only given a certain volume and, you know, often that's a relatively limited stock," he said.

"So we understand people's frustration with that and work, the medical practices are doing everything they can to, to make their vaccine programmes as efficient as they can. And we would appreciate, you know, just people's courtesy and patience and working through with that."

Dr Stiles said the frustrating thing for health practitioners was that they need more vaccines to be able to get more people vaccinated.

"Sometimes there may be other spots available in the some of the hubs in the hospitals and the respiratory clinics. There's some respiratory clinics in the Blue Mountains and I think Bathurst is also being buyers of vaccines, but they're likely to be pretty sort of heavily booked as well."

Dr Stiles said that for residents under 60, the AstraZeneca vaccine is still an option.

"I've had that and I'm under 60. I've had two shots of the AstraZeneca. So it's still certainly an option and you should check with you check with your doctor and your medical practice about what their policy is for that," he said.

This week the testing facility at Lithgow Hospital has had an unprecedented rush of residents seeking reassurance.

The result has been long and frustrating delays - and frayed tempers.

Lithgow does not have a drive through facility so candidates for the test have to stand in a queue with Lithgow Mercury correspondents reporting a wait of up to four hours. They then have to self isolate at home until notified of the result, usually less than 48 hours.

The figure on the four hour wait came from my a local whose doctor had instructed him to have a test. He got in line at 11am and was tested shortly before 3pm and has since returned negative.

A hospital staffer said the surge in demand had fully tested the facility.

"We were averaging no more than two or three a day until this week. Now it's soared to around 70," they said.

Dr Stiles thanked residents who have lined up to be tested in the hospital over the past week.

"That really helps us to pick up if there are any outbreaks locally to pick them up early. So that's exactly what the health authorities are asking people to do," he said.

"Now it does seem like it's been really busy there lately, but it just shows that everyone's doing what they can."

Lithgow has had no COVID detected since April last year when there were three cases linked to the Ruby Princess and another linked to an out of town delivery driver at Coles supermarket.

The lockdown currently impacting the Blue Mountains Local government area does not extend westward beyond the Lithgow boundary at Mt Victoria.

From 6pm Saturday, June 26, all people visiting the Lithgow Workmen's Club must wear a mask including staff.

Workies manager Geoff Wheeler said they are once again subject to the one person per four metre rule.

"There is no standing whilst drinking, but patrons can remove their masks when eating or drinking and we have cancelled all live entertainment for the next couple of weeks and will continually review," he said.

Patrons who live or work in Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and Central Coast are not permitted in the Club under the current restrictions.

Patrons from the LGA and from areas that are not subject to the Government stay at home orders are allowed in the Club providing they are not feeling unwell or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.

"All patrons are subject to our COVID safe check in and check out procedures upon entry and exit of the premises and we are still providing COVID safe cleaning of the entire club during all operational hours of the business," he said.

"The safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and guests is paramount and we continue to monitor all government restrictions on a regular basis, and initiate changes to our COVID Safe Plan where needed.

"We continue to operate in a very COVID safe manner with all of our main trading floor operational including Bingo, Bars, Café, Bistro and Esk Bar & Grill."

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