Everything you need to know about Victoria’s new NSW border restrictions
As NSW’s COVID cases grow, Victoria has closed the border to more parts of Sydney. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Residents of border communities can still travel across the border using the address on their driver’s licence. School students travelling on a bus are also exempt from permits. Police and SES members will be stationed on the border, so residents should expect delays.
Residents of border communities can still travel across the border using the address on their driver’s licence. School students travelling on a bus are also exempt from permits. Police and SES members will be stationed on the border, so residents should expect delays.
How do I know if my town is classified as a border community?
Victorians living in the following local government areas are considered a border community resident: Alpine, Benalla, Bendigo, Buloke, Campaspe, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Indigo, Loddon, Mildura, Moira, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Towong, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Yarriambiack.
The following NSW’s local government areas are considered a border community: Albury City, Balranald, Bega Valley, Berrigan, Broken Hill, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Hay, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Wagga Wagga, and Wentworth.
I’m a Victorian visiting the Northern Beaches. Can I come home?
No. You must follow the NSW’s Chief Health Officer’s stay at home orders, which mean you cannot leave the area.
I’m a Victorian visiting NSW, but I’m not in the Northern Beaches. Can I come home?
As long as NSW’s health authorities haven’t directed you to isolate you can come home, but certain rules apply depending on which zone you are in or have visited. Greater Sydney and the Central Coast will be classified as a red zone from 11.59pm Sunday.
Prior to this, Victorians who have visited these areas can come home provided they are holding a valid Victorian Travel Permit. These travellers are encouraged to get tested on arrival and self quarantine at home until they receive their negative result. Victorians arriving from Greater Sydney or Central Coast after 11.59pm Sunday and until Monday 11.59pm can apply for an exemption to come home to Victoria via the Services Victoria website. These travellers must get tested on arrival and self isolate for 14 days. The rest of regional NSW is still a green zone and Victorian travellers who have visited regional NSW can enter Victoria provided they hold a valid Victorian travel permit.
I am staying in, or since December 11 have visited, a red zone. How do I come home?
If you are in the red zone of Greater Sydney or the Central Coast you have until 11.59pm Monday to return home. You must register for an exemption on the Service Victoria website and get tested within 24 hours of arriving in Victoria. You must self-quarantine for 14 days at home from the time you left the red zone and authorities will conduct home checks.
What do I do if I arrive after 11.59pm Monday?
You are not permitted to enter Victoria if you have visited a red zone. If you arrive in Victoria, you will complete your quarantine period in a quarantine hotel.
I am staying in a green zone and have not visited a red zone since December 11. How do I come home?
You will need to apply for a valid Victorian travel permit to enter Victoria and do not need to self-quarantine. You should still monitor for symptoms get tested and stay home until you receive a negative result.
Can my friends and family from Greater Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW visit?
No. The Greater Sydney area and the Central Coast will be designated as a ‘red zone’ from 11.59pm Sunday, meaning residents cannot enter Victoria. Anyone who breaches this rule will enter mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine.
Can my friends and family from the rest of NSW visit?
Yes, but residents from the rest of NSW will need to apply for a valid Victorian travel permit. Border community residents do not need to apply for a permit but they will need to ensure they are entering with a valid form of ID that has their address, like a drivers licence.
How do I apply for a permit?
To apply for a permit visit the Services Victoria website. It should take approximately five minutes to complete. You must carry your permit and photo identification when you cross the border.
Can I travel to NSW?
NSW has not shut the border on their side so anyone can enter the state, but authorities have warned Victorians – excluding border communities – against doing so. The Premier has said Victorians should not travel to Greater Sydney or the Central Coast. Anyone who enters a red zone will be unable to return without completing hotel quarantine. Victorians who travel to green zones risk the same situation should the area they visit face an outbreak and get reclassified as a red zone.
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