NSW CLOSES BORDER WITH VICTORIA

The NSW Government closed the state’s border with Victoria today, with strict penalties in place for anyone who breaches the new rules. 

The temporary closure came into effect from 12.01am Wednesday, 8 July with both NSW Police and the Australian Defence Force deployed to enforce the measure.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government had moved quickly to implement the border closure following the concerning community spread of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

A number of measures came into force from midnight including:

·         Road closures in place across the NSW and Victorian border;

·         Any planes from Victoria arriving at NSW airports met by police and health staff; and

·         NSW residents returning from Victoria required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Other than returning NSW residents, only limited categories of people are able to cross the border, such as:

·         Critical service providers including agriculture and mining workers;

·         Emergency services workers;

·         People requiring medical treatment;

·         Children attending boarding school; and

·         People needing to meet legal obligations.

Provisions are in place for residents of border communities, such as Albury-Wodonga, to cross borders for work, education or daily life without requiring to self-isolate.

 To enter NSW, people must apply for a permit on the Service NSW website and if any inaccurate information is provided in the application process, a new on-the-spot fine of $4,000 will apply. Those permitted to enter will also need to comply with any conditions of an entry permit such as the requirement to self-isolate.

People transiting through NSW must take the most direct route out of the state.       

For more information on permits CLICK HERE.

The Public Health Order is available here.