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Tributes have been paid to Sex And The City actor Willie Garson following his death aged 57.

Garson was best-known for playing flamboyant talent agent Stanford Blatch, the close friend and confidante of Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw.

He reprised the role in the two Sex And The City films and had been working on the upcoming HBO Max spin-off series And Just Like That.

Garson had reportedly been diagnosed with cancer. While Garson's best known character was a gay man, but the actor was straight.

Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes in Sex And The City, shared a tribute on Twitter.

She said: "So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson. We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional- always."

Nixon sent her condolences to Garson's adopted son, Nathen.

Michael Patrick King, executive producer of Sex And The City and And Just Like That, said Garson had been dedicated to his work even while ill.

He said: "The Sex And The City family has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson.

"His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day filming And Just Like That. He was there - giving us his all - even while he was sick. His multitude of gifts as an actor and person will be missed by everyone. In this sad, dark moment we are comforted by our memory of his joy and light."

Mario Cantone played Garson's on-screen partner in Sex And The City.

He said: "I couldn't have had a more brilliant TV partner. I'm devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods. Rest my sweet friend. I love you."

A spokesman for HBO and HBO Max said: "Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe.

"He created one of the most beloved characters from the HBO pantheon and was a member of our family for nearly twenty-five years.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Actor Titus Welliver, a close friend of Garson, was one of the first to share a tribute.

He tweeted: "There are no words. I love you dear brother. We are fewer."

Rob Morrow, the actor, said: "Our sweet pal #WillieGarson has passed on. Dear soul, rest easy."

As well as Sex And The City, which originally ran from 1998-2004, Garson was known for his role as Mozzie in police procedural White Collar.

© PAA 2021

NSW has reported 1035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and five deaths as double-dose vaccination coverage approaches 55 per cent.

The government has also announced it will pilot its "vaccination passport", linked to the Service NSW check-in app, in regional NSW from October 6.

Most of NSW is locked down and police are cracking down on compliance measures as authorities battle to contain the spread of the virulent Delta strain.

Of the five deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, two people were in their 50s, one was in their 60s, one was in their 70s and one was in their 80s.

It takes the toll for the current outbreak to 260.

There are 1232 COVID-19 patients in hospital in NSW, with 242 in intensive care units and 122 on ventilators.

NSW has 54.2 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage among those aged 16 and over and is expected to reach 70 per cent in the first fortnight of October.

The government says it will begin its vaccination passport trial in regional NSW from October 6. Vaccination status will be linked to the QR code check-in system.

"When we hit 70 per cent double dose, irrespective of when it is, (we'll be) ready to roll out that vaccine passport," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

The government says freedoms will be restored at 70 per cent coverage for the fully vaccinated even if the vaccination passport is not yet fully operational.

Those yet to be fully vaccinated will not have those freedoms restored.

Meanwhile, a NSW Liberal backbencher says the state government failed to adequately protect the regions from the risk of COVID-19 after the the Byron, Tweed and Kempsey council areas in the state's north were forced into lockdown.

The seven-day lockdown was mandated on Tuesday after a coronavirus-infected authorised worker with a valid permit flew from Sydney to Ballina on Saturday and was active in the community.

The lockdown prompted the Queensland government to exclude Tweed and Byron Shire residents from the border bubble, except for limited essential purposes.

The fully vaccinated authorised worker was working for the company filming the TV series I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!, which Liberal MP Catherine Cusack says was an unnecessary risk in a vulnerable region.

Tweed Council had asked the NSW government not to approve it, Ms Cusack said.

Vaccination in the Tweed is below the state average with 71.7 per cent of people getting a first dose, while 45 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Elsewhere, the NSW construction industry will return to full capacity from next week as the state's vaccination coverage continues to grow, with hope community sport will soon follow.

From Monday, NSW will ease all capacity limits on construction sites while retaining the four-square metre density rule.

The industry has been working at 50 per cent capacity, with vaccination requirements for workers from the 12 western and southwest Sydney local government areas of concern.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said cabinet was working on a plan to get community sport back.

One in 10 community sports clubs in Australia fear they will not survive beyond the pandemic, new research from the Australian Sports Foundation found, with lockdown and restrictions decimating their financial bottom lines and volunteer numbers.

© AAP 2021

NSW's vaccination passport may not be fully operational in time for the easing of restrictions in mid-October, the government says.

But the restrictions will be eased at 70 per cent double-dose coverage regardless, and residents will be obliged to demonstrate their vaccination status through other means.

NSW reported 1035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and five deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

Of those five deaths, two people were in their 50s, one was in their 60s, one was in their 70s and one was in their 80s.

It takes the toll for the current NSW outbreak to 260.

The government has also announced it will from October 6 conduct a two-week pilot for its "vaccination passport", which will be linked to the Service NSW check-in app, in regional NSW.

But 70 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage is likely to trigger the end of lockdown for fully jabbed residents around October 11.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said the government would not postpone the easing of restrictions and residents could instead use the Medicare app for proof of vaccination.

They could also print out their vaccination certificate.

Once 70 per cent double-dose coverage is reached, fully vaccinated NSW residents can again visit the homes of others and attend hospitality venues, retail outlets, gyms and sport matches.

"It's a good problem to have," Mr Dominello told reporters.

"But right now there are other options for showing vax status."

Mr Dominello said the inclusion of vaccination status in the Service NSW app would create an "all-in-one" platform for residents and make compliance checks easier for businesses.

It may also facilitate interstate travel in the months ahead.

The trial from October 6 will incorporate multiple regional council areas and include clubs and aged care facilities, Mr Dominello said.

Residents will need to provide consent for their vaccination data, currently held by federal authorities, to appear on the app.

Mr Dominello reiterated faking vaccination certificates would constitute a "serious criminal offence" and may involve jail time.

Restrictions on the unvaccinated will not ease at this point.

There are currently 1232 COVID-19 patients in hospital in NSW, with 242 in intensive care units and 122 on ventilators.

Meanwhile, a Liberal upper house MP says the NSW government failed to adequately protect the regions from the spread of COVID-19 after the Byron Shire, Tweed and Kempsey council areas in the state's north were forced into lockdown on Tuesday.

The seven-day lockdown was mandated after a coronavirus-infected authorised worker with a valid permit flew from Sydney to Ballina on Saturday and was active in the community.

That person has now been charged with COVID breaches.

The lockdown prompted the Queensland government to exclude Tweed and Byron Shire residents from the border bubble.

The fully vaccinated and authorised worker was working for the company filming the TV series "I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!", which MP Catherine Cusack says was an unnecessary risk.

Vaccination in the Tweed is below the state average with 71.7 per cent of people getting a first dose and 45 per cent fully jabbed.

Elsewhere, the NSW construction industry will return to full capacity from next week as the state's vaccination coverage continues to grow, with hope community sport will soon follow.

From Monday, NSW will ease all capacity limits on construction sites while retaining the four-square metre density rule.

The industry has been working at 50 per cent capacity, with vaccination requirements for workers from the 12 western and southwest Sydney local government areas of concern.

© AAP 2021