Coronavirus: NSW reopens border with Victoria on November 23
NSW has recorded three new local cases of COVID-19 while Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed the state will reopen its border to Victoria from November 23.
NSW
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The NSW border with Victoria will reopen at 12.01am on November 23, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed.
The decision follows a meeting of the NSW COVID cabinet and a conversation between Ms Berejiklian and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
“Our policy in NSW is to keep moving forward and operating in a COVID-safe manner — the reopening of the NSW/Victorian border is another step in the right direction,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The Daily Telegraph first revealed the border was set to come down in November 23 last night, pending sign off from senior ministers and health officials.
On Monday, 23 November – the NSW/Victoria border will reopen. We need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe.
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) November 4, 2020
Additionally, QR code sign-in measures will be compulsory for all hospitality venues from November 23. Businesses will not be required to use the Service NSW QR code system but it will be encouraged.
The border announcement has been welcomed by Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson.
“The move gives Sydney access once again to its largest tourism market and also brings back certainty for both leisure and corporate travel to recommence,” Mr Johnson said.
“Domestic travel is obviously going to be critical for our industry’s recovery and today’s announcement is another step forward.
“I know Sydneysiders and other NSW residents will be keen to head south and support the Victorian tourism sector which has been devastated by the impact of the pandemic and we in NSW look forward to safely welcoming Victorian tourists once again.”
The news comes as NSW recorded three new locally acquired coronavirus cases in the past day and six in hotel quarantine.
The three local cases are linked to a cluster at Hoxton Park which has grown to 10 infections.
Two of the three are connected to the Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park and are household contacts of a person who previously attended the venue.
The additional case is linked to the Bambino’s Kindergarten at Horningsea Park, where another previous case was found.
All three cases have been in isolation while another person with the virus travelled on the following train services:
– Fairfield Station to Central Station, Tuesday, 27 October, 11.38am – 12.40pm
– Central Station to Fairfield Station, Tuesday, 27 October, 2.33pm – 3.23pm
Victoria recorded its fifth straight day of no new community COVID cases and no deaths on Wednesday.
Ms Berejiklian’s intention to ease border restrictions on November 23 is in contrast to the Queensland Premier’s staunch policy of reviewing her state’s border at the end of every month.
Following her re-election on Saturday, Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated that the policy would remain in place, meaning residents of Sydney and Victoria are to be locked out of Queensland until December.
At 1am Tuesday a relaxation of the Sunshine State’s strict border rules allowed residents from regional NSW to mix with Queenslanders.
That led to emotional border reunions, like that between mum Karen Cutriss and daughter Shanae Andrews who hugged yesterday for the first time in nine months when they were reunited at Ballina airport.
Wiping her tears away Ms Cutriss told her 29-year-old construction worker daughter: “Welcome home darling.”
Ms Andrews is moving from the Sydney CBD back home to Redland outside Brisbane, so will holiday in Ballina for two weeks before she can cross the border without needing to quarantine.
“I found COVID in Sydney really tough without family and it really made me appreciate and want to be with them,” she said, hugging her mother.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Brissie and being home for Christmas. “My family means the world to me. I had hoped the border would open earlier so I could come home sooner but I’m here now and it’s great to see mum.”
Mrs Cutriss said: “My son is in New Zealand, God knows when I’m going see him next. To have at least one of them back for Christmas is a godsend.”
Grandmother Patricia Quealey also fought back tears when she glimpsed her daughter-in-law Mel Noetel at Ballina airport.
The family will holiday at a resort in Kingscliff for several days, catching up on news and family.
“As soon as I heard the rumour mill that the travel bubble allowing people from Queensland into NSW might happen, I booked my flight,” said psychologist Mrs Quealey, 70, from Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
More than 150,000 more people living in northern NSW can now move freely without needing to isolate.
Anyone in the border zone can now enter Queensland for any purpose and those living outside the border bubble must apply for a border pass through the Government.
With the border allowing Queenslanders into NSW, holiday bookings at NRMA parks and resorts are up an average of 30 per cent compared to last year and local bars and hotels are full of patrons.
And bars and hotels are booked solidly bringing a welcome boost to national tourism.
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