NSW border closure expected to be ‘challenging’

Police are bracing for a “challenging” 72 hours after the border between NSW and Victoria closes for the first time in a century.

Police anticipate the closure of the NSW-Victoria border for the first time in 100 years, will be “challenging” for communities and law enforcement over the next three days.

Drivers are being asked to “come prepared and ready” with their relevant documents and identification information including drivers’ licences and medical certifications.

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RELATED: Who is eligible for the NSW-Victoria border permit

Anyone wishing to enter NSW will need a border entry permit. Picture: William West/AFP

From 12.01am on Wednesday, July 8, no one can enter NSW from Victoria unless they meet exemption criteria and have been granted a COVID-19 NSW border entry permit.

Applications can be made on the Service NSW website, which went live on Tuesday night.

“Both adults and children are required to get a permit to travel from Victoria to NSW,” the state government says.

“The permit is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and applies to all borders: land, air and sea, as well as river crossings.

“Your permit will indicate if you need to self-isolate for 14 days, get tested for COVID-19 or any other conditions.”

Those exempt are emergency or law enforcement services workers and anyone entering NSW “to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm”.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the border closure was “unfortunately necessary to minimise the risk to NSW residents from COVID-19 challenges in Victoria”.

At 6.45 pm 7th July 2020 I signed ⁦@NSWHealth⁩ Orders closing NSW border with Victoria - first time in 100 years. Unfortunately necessary to minimise risk to NSW residents from Covid19 challenges in Victoria. We will continue to support Victoria during these difficulties pic.twitter.com/26kqsKnCqy

— Brad Hazzard (@BradHazzard) July 7, 2020

He signed the orders at 6.45pm on Tuesday, drawing the line for the “first time in 100 years”.

Victoria announced 191 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday – its highest daily total on record.

NSW Police said fines apply to those who breach the state’s public health orders or who falsify information when applying for exemptions.

“A large-scale police operation will be in place to ensure compliance with the Public Health Order, with officers assisted by personnel from the Australian Defence Force, and other government agencies,” police said in a statement.

“As those with exemptions begin to pass through checkpoints, police are asking people to come prepared and ready to produce relevant documents and identification information; such as drivers’ licences, and medical certificates.

“Those without exemptions will be turned back.

“It is anticipated that the first 72 hours will be challenging while the process is in its infancy. Police are asking those who don’t need to cross the border to avoid doing so.”

People lined up outside Services NSW in Albury on Tuesday with some renewing the address on their licence. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told the ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday night he expects “three classes of people” to apply.

“There are those who live in the border towns who will only have to fill out the permit once,” he said.

“Local communities and police will be more than aware of what a local border community is and we’ve talked about Albury-Wodonga and there’s many more.

“We know it’s essential they cross daily for a range of reasons. Anyone from New South Wales who is returning needs a permit and they will need to go into 14 days home quarantine.

“Then you have those Victorians who may be essential workers who have to complete a permit. Unless you fit the health order you won’t be allowed to cross the border.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said he does not expect the force to have to chase people across rivers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Asked by host Virginia Trioli if police would be “pursuing people” who sneak into the state, following suggestions some could try swimming across the Murray River, Mr Fuller noted only one person out of tens of thousands of travellers had escaped from hotel quarantine.

“I think all in all people are well aware of how dangerous COVID-19 can be,” he said.

“I don’t think the public enjoy the health orders but at the same time we are finding that people understand why we need them.

“I don’t expect that we will be chasing people across rivers but it is important people understand the health orders.”

Mr Fuller said some roads will be closed from now until the end of the school holidays.

He “most police resources” will be visible on the main arterials but there are fixed wing aircraft and drones in remote areas to monitor crossings such as dirt tracks.

“There will be around 29 of those roads that will have police, defence, and other agencies there manning the posts in terms of making sure we’re protecting the health of the people of New South Wales,” the police commissioner said.