Sporting competitions across Central West enter an uncertain future following COVID-19 guideline updates

NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant announced the changes on Tuesday as the state recorded three new coronavirus cases, and said sports should stop zone, regional or state championships or competitions from Wednesday.

Overnight stays should also be cut back, while award ceremonies and even car pooling to games is set to be pulled back. Spectators should be limited to one parent per child, Dr Chant said.

It's thrown country sport into chaos, with regional travel essential in most competitions in the Central West.

However, most associations in the region believe they're already following rules, and new directives don't mean competitions need to be cancelled.

Central West Rugby Union CEO Matt Tink said he'd been surprised by the directive, and was seeking clarification from Rugby NSW and Country Rugby about how best to proceed.

"Our reading of it is these are recommendations, and most of these our clubs are already following and following really well," Tink said.

"At this point in time we think and we're confident we're doing the right thing."

He said he didn't expect anything to change at this stage.

While playing in separate competitions within the Central West Rugby Union set up, both Bathurst Bulldogs and CSU are required to travel across the region for games.

The Western Rams - a region incorporating Group 10, which is still running junior rugby league competitions, the Mid West Cup, and supplying players to Rams and Dubbo CYMS sides President's Cup - hadn't received advice signalling a change of tact would be needed mid-way through the season.

The status of the women's Premier League Hockey competition is likely to be more clear come Wednesday with Hockey NSW to release more information then.

Football NSW, which is running the Western Premier League and NPL sides, is also seeking clarification as to how to proceed.

As for the AFL Central West competition which involves Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Cowra, it is a similar scenario as the state governing body - NSW-ACT AFL - seeks more information.

"Recommended travel restrictions between regions is likely to impact on some AFL activities, however we are seeking further information to clearly interpret regions in both metropolitan and rural areas across NSW," NSW-ACT AFL said in a statement.

"We are currently assessing the recommendations and their impact on community Australian rules football, and we are also seeking further clarification from the NSW Government."

Whether the women's Premier League Hockey competition can continue is likely to be more clear come Wednesday with Hockey NSW stating that is when "we will be providing further clarification on these recommendations".

Currently the eight team competition is five weeks from its scheduled conclusion. It features three Bathurst sides in St Pat's, Souths and Bathurst City, another three outfit from Orange in Confederates, CYMS and Ex-Services, plus Souths and Lithgow.