Victoria set to introduce new streamlined system to avoid border closure chaos

A new “traffic light” system is set to be introduced after Victoria’s last-minute border closures sparked traffic chaos during the holidays.

Victoria will introduce a traffic light system to streamline warnings and restrictions for people travelling across all states from Monday.

The permanent new system is in response to confusion and anger after borders were snapped shut following COVID outbreaks in South Australia, NSW and Queensland.

The Herald Sun can reveal Victorians will need a permit but will be allowed to travel in designated green zones anywhere across Australia.

Those in an amber zone will also need a permit and, once home, must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

Victorians will not be allowed to travel to a red zone.

It is expected the more ­onerous conditions Victorians must meet to return home from a red zone will be detailed on Monday.

Border closures wrought havoc on the travel plans of many Victorians. Picture: Jason Edwards.

As of last night, NSW and Brisbane were deemed red zones but it is understood that was being reconsidered by chief health officer Brett Sutton overnight.

It is expected the danger rating on parts of NSW where there are no cases could be downgraded on Monday or soon after, paving the way for Victorians stuck in NSW to return home.

The new system is anticipated to come into effect on Monday night, with permits available online.

It is understood the traffic light system will be in place for most of the year.

“Interstate travel is going to be hazardous for a while,” a source said.

COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar on Sunday said: “We are looking for a clearer, simpler system to give people as much ­information as possible and as much clarity as possible about how to manage travel over the coming months while we still have active COVID cases popping up around the country.”

A new system will be enforced to streamline border warnings. Picture: Simon Dallinger.

It comes as 96 people were stopped on entering Victoria from Brisbane at the weekend and told to get tested and isolate after breaching the Queensland government directive that they lock down in the city until today.

A hard border remains between Victoria and NSW and greater Brisbane, with a total of 882 exemptions granted for people wanting to return home from NSW.

In a pointed back-and-forth, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday called for states to “talk to us in NSW before you close the border”.

But Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said: “If she’s of the view that when NSW put on a hard border onto Victoria … that was preceded by conversations with Victoria, I can assure her that the same was reciprocated at the Victorian end.”

Opposition spokesman Matthew Guy said border closure should be a last resort.

Mr Weimar said genomic testing had revealed all of Victoria’s locally acquired cases were “clearly associated and derived from the NSW Avalon cluster”.

Police checkpoints are set up at the major road entry points into Victoria. Picture: Simon Dallinger.

But he said an index case had still not been identified within the Black Rock cluster.

It is understood authorities are pleased with the massive number of negative test results received since a mystery case was received uncovered last week, leading to growing optimism that the Black Rock cluster is under control.

Mr Foley praised Victorians who put their “heart and soul” into driving down case numbers from the outbreak to zero in just seven days.

It is anticipated the government could on Wednesday make announcements about returning to work which could include eased restrictions on masks and gatherings.

Mr Weimar said masks had played a “critical” role in Victoria’s good numbers.

Victoria on Sunday recorded its fourth consecutive day without local transmission, with six new cases in hotel quarantine, including a member of an international flight crew.

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Originally published as Victoria set to introduce new streamlined system to avoid border closure chaos