NSW borders closed: What will happen to your school holiday plans?

The border has closed between NSW and Victoria for the first time in a century. This is what travellers need to know.

For the first time in 100 years the border between NSW and Victoria has been shut as authorities seek to limit the spread of Melbourne’s worsening virus outbreak.

The shutdown went into effect at midnight, with hundreds of police officers and military personnel patrolling the border to check motorists attempting to cross.

It is the first time the border between NSW and Victoria has been closed since 1919 during the Spanish flu outbreak.

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The sudden decision by NSW and Victorian governments to shut the border has thrown travel plans into chaos, especially with school holidays in both states, and led to confusion about who can cross the border.

On Monday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision shouldn’t be surprising given the ongoing crisis in Melbourne.

“We are in the middle of a pandemic,” she said. “All of us, including myself, have had to adjust our travel arrangements a number of times in the last three or four months.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the decision was “right approach” despite inconvenience to non-essential travellers.

This is what you need to know about the border closure.

Police check cars crossing the border in Albury. Picture: William West/AFP

What does the border shutdown mean?

As of midnight on Wednesday, people cannot cross from Victoria into NSW unless they have a border permit issued by Service NSW.

The permit is valid for 14 days and applies to land, air, sea and river crossings into NSW. It is for Victoria residents as well as those from NSW who are returning to their state.

Hundreds of NSW police officers and Australian Defence Force personnel will patrol the border to ensure those attempting to cross have the necessary permit.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told the ABC’s 7.30 he expected “three classes of people” to apply for a border pass.

“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.”

The state line closed at midnight on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

There are special exemptions for emergency or law enforcement workers, people seeking medical or hospital services, and those who need to attend court or meet legal obligations.

What if I’m already on holidays in NSW?

People from Victoria who were already in NSW when the border was closed will be able to return home.

Can people from NSW travel to Victoria?

NSW residents are free to cross the border into Victoria but they will have to self-quarantine for a mandatory two weeks when they return.

Police will be carrying out doorknocks to ensure people are complying with the quarantine order.

However, NSW residents are urged to avoid travelling into Victoria due to risks associated with the virus outbreak there.

“Can I say, the borders shutting should send a clear message to all New South Wales residents right now – if you’re thinking of going to Victoria in the next 24, 48 hours, my strong suggestion is, do not go,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this week.

About 650 NSW police officers are manning the border. Picture: David Gray/Getty Images

How long will this last?

There’s no set end date and authorities have warned the border could be closed for weeks.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott conceded the first 72 hours would be “challenging”.

“People will be confused, communities will be upset, local businesses will be interrupted. But what we’ll always do as a government is to minimise the burden,” he said on Tuesday.

“Minimise the burden to the economy, minimise the burden to people who have loved ones on either side of the border, and obviously, always work towards making sure we can get a return to normal life.”

How is the border being patrolled?

About 650 NSW Police officers have been dispatched to the border and will be supported by 350 Australian Defence Force personnel by the weekend.

Checkpoints have been set up at many border crossings.

There are 55 border crossings into NSW, including four primary road crossings, 33 bridges, two waterway crossings and multiple smaller roads. Police will use drones and other aerial surveillance to patrol smaller crossings.

What are the fines?

What are the fines?

Penalties for crossing without a valid permit include $1000 on-the-stop fines. In NSW, COVID-19 breaches can result in fines of up to $11,000 and six months in jail.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW Police would enforce the border closure. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Are airlines flying between Victoria and NSW?

Airlines will cut services between Victoria and NSW but there will still be flights for essential travellers and residents returning home.

In a statement to news.com.au, Virgin Australia said it was reviewing its flight schedule for services between Sydney and Melbourne.

“We’ll contact passengers directly if there’s any change to their flight,” the airline said in a statement.

“For passengers who can no longer travel or who wish to change their booking, Virgin Australia is waiving applicable change fees for bookings made between 21 April 2020 and 30 September 2020.” More information can be found on the Virgin Australia website.

Meanwhile, Qantas said it would operate fewer Sydney-Melbourne services, although there will still be multiple flights each day.

But other routes will also be affected, such Melbourne-Byron Bay (Ballina).

“Qantas and Jetstar are significantly reducing flights to and from Melbourne following the decision to close the NSW border,” Qantas said in a statement to news.com.au.

“We’ll continue to operate limited flights for essential travel only.”

Impacted customers will be contacted about their options.

The border closure is enforced on the NSW side. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

What other borders are closed?

Western Australia: Strict border closures are still in place for WA, with Premier Mark McGowan refusing to set a date on the reopening of his state to the rest of Australia. Currently, no one can enter WA without an exemption.

South Australia: Premier Steven Marshall opened his state to residents from Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory on June 16 without needing to undergo 14 days of quarantine. The state was set to reopen to NSW, the ACT and Victoria on July 20, but given the recent spike in Victoria, that plan has now been parked. Currently, residents from NSW, ACT and Victoria travelling to SA must quarantine for 14 days.

Victoria: The Victorian border with NSW will be closed at 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

Tasmania: Tasmania has not opened their borders to the rest of the country, with anyone travelling to the state from any jurisdiction required to quarantine for 14 days. This rule is in place until at least July 24, 2020.

New South Wales: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has kept borders open to the rest of Australia throughout the pandemic, but on Monday announced the state will be closed to Victorians from 11.59pm on Tuesday, 7 July, 2020. The NSW borders remain open to the rest of the country.

Australian Capital Territory: Residents are being told not to travel to Victoria, and anyone coming from Victoria to the ACT from a “hotspot” will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Queensland: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced she would reopen state borders from July 10 to all states and territories, however Victorians will be excluded from the plan. From July 3, anyone travelling into the state of Queensland from Victoria will be required to quarantine in a hotel at their own cost for at least 14 days.

Northern Territory: Until July 17, all residents, including returning Territorians, will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the quarantine measure will stay in place after that date for travellers returning from hotspot areas in Victoria.