At the time of going to print yesterday, speculation was still rife that communities within 100km of the Victorian border would be brought in to a ‘crossborder bubble’.
It would mean communities in that radius would be subject to the same lockdown measures as their Victorian neighbours — that is, remaining at home unless for work, education, essential services and medical reasons.
It may, however, allow residents to travel in to Victoria for such services without the need to self isolate for 14 days once they return home to NSW.
Until a formal directive such as this is put in place, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has encouraged those in NSW communities close to the Victorian border to self impose restrictions.
In a press conference on Wednesday she said residents in border towns should remain where they are unless absolutely necessary.
‘‘The probability that we need to be tougher on those border restrictions is extremely high,’’ she said.
‘‘I ask everybody in those border communities, including residents in New South Wales who live in Albury or Moama or other places across the border, do not travel to other parts of New South Wales unless you absolutely have to.
‘‘My strong warning to people in New South Wales is do not travel to those border communities unless you absolutely have to.’’
NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton said confusion surrounding the border closures, which continue five days after they were announced, shows that not enough forethought went in to the restrictions.
‘‘More than two weeks ago I wrote an urgent letter to Gladys asking if there could be some arrangement to cope with the influx of Victorians in to the state for the upcoming holiday period,’’ Mrs Dalton said.
‘‘Instead she waited until last minute to hastily make an announcement.
‘‘If we had acted early enough, we could have just shut down Melbourne instead of the whole state and the regions.
‘‘We have been COVID free for a long time now in our electorate, but now its residents are needlessly suffering because the government is reactive and not proactive.’’
Mrs Dalton said the border closures also shine a light on the neglect regional NSW has had to endure.
She said the reliance of small communities on Victorian services, particularly health, highlights the government is not investing in regional services as much as it should.
The border closure on Tuesday night, and other measures, have been put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Police are patrolling the border crossings, with assistance of other emergency services and defence.
Anyone wishing to cross the border must have a permit, obtained through Service NSW, or other valid exemption.
Permits are not required for people providing an emergency or law enforcement service, people avoiding injury or harm, people entering for medical or hospital services, or people entering to attend court or to meet other legal obligations. Documentation or proof is required with the exception of people avoiding injury or harm.
There are limited exemptions for border crossings for 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.
Conditions of travel are detailed on each permit, but in most cases NSW residents going in to and returning from Victoria will be required to self isolate for 14 days after their return.
Anyone failing to comply with the new rules could face up to six months in prison, a fine of $11,000, or both.
A new on the spot fine of $4000 will apply for any inaccurate information provided in the permit application process.
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