The newest NSW Public Health Order allows anyone within the border region zone — which includes the Murray River and Edward River council areas — to travel freely within the zone.
Anyone crossing the border must still have a valid permit, which are now easier to obtain with criteria relating to the reason for crossing being removed.
Border checks will still be in place.
The change came just days after the Victorian Government relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in regional Victoria.
The ‘step three’ phase of the roadmap out of lockdown allows most regional Victorian businesses to reopen, and relaxes social gathering restrictions in public and private spaces.
The more significant changes are that regional Victorian residents are allowed to leave home for any reason, provided they wear a face covering. Movement within the state is also relaxed.
Victorians must abide by the same restrictions if they are in NSW.
The move prompted Murray River Council to urge NSW to follow suit, and re-open the borders to help with business recovery.
Mayor Chris Bilkey yesterday said the new rules on this side of the border, including reinstating recreational use of the Murray River, is a great step in that direction and ‘‘a relief for local communities’’.
‘‘We welcome the opening up of the river and relaxation of restrictions in Victoria for wider use of the river,’’ he said.
‘‘We understand this means we will now be able to utilise the river to go fishing, boating and other water activities.
‘‘Given Melbourne is still closed there is still a long way to go to getting the traditional numbers and customers visiting the region.
‘‘However, we must take baby steps and we welcome all regional Victorian visitors.’’
Deniliquin’s McLean Beach Holiday Park manager Pam Sutton agreed that while welcome, the new crossing rules don’t quite go far enough.
She said the borders need to open completely if all businesses, not just the accommodation and hospitality industries, are going to survive.
‘‘We are extremely happy to have regional Victorians come into Deniliquin and our park. We already have a few coming here,’’ she said.
‘‘Not having as much clientele over the past three months has been hard on all businesses, but the tourism industry especially.
‘‘However, we want the government to open the border not only for our business, but for medical, farming, community and everyone.
‘‘It is quiet at the moment for us, but we have been lucky enough to have border control teams come here once a week. It has kept the business ticking along.
‘‘We have also been lucky enough to have a few New South Wales travellers coming to rural and regional areas. They stop and visit for a few days, and we appreciate that greatly.
‘‘Even with the regional Victorian visitors now able to come to Deniliquin our numbers will be down. We would usually have a lot more visitors at this time of year than we have now.’’
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