NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian hints at reopening border to regional Victorians

Gladys Berejiklian has hinted at the possibility of NSW opening its border to parts of Victoria – revealing what issues are being looked at before that can happen.

Regional Victorians could soon be able to travel to and from NSW freely but Melburnians are likely to be left behind.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian hinted at the possibility of opening the state’s southern border while delivering the latest coronavirus update this week.

Her comments came after the rolling 14-day average fell to 1.6 cases in regional Victoria, while the entire state recorded just 11 new cases on Monday helping take Melbourne’s daily average to 34.4.

Ms Berejiklian told reporters health authorities were monitoring the situation closely in Victoria but she didn’t want to have to keep the border closed for a day longer than necessary.

“We can consider leaving Melbournites for now but open it up to everybody else,” she said.

“We don’t want those border checkpoints for a day longer than we need to.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian hinted at reopening the border to regional Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

The Premier said it was not about hitting a magic number before reopening the border, but instead, NSW Health would consider how many unknown cases there were in Victoria and “what trends there are”.

“We have to remember the incubation period for the virus is up to two weeks but we don’t want to leave the border (restrictions) up for any longer than we need to,” she said.

“These are the options we’re considering.”

Regional Victoria hasn’t recorded any new infections since September 17 when a single case was reported.

Ms Berejiklian’s Victorian counterpart Daniel Andrews said opening the borders for regional Victorians was not a conversation he has yet had with the NSW premier.

Regional Victoria hasn’t recorded any new infections since September 17 when a single case was reported. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger.

“No, I’ve not had that conversation because I think I know what the answer will be,” he said.

However, border bubble arrangements recently changed for those living on the NSW-Victorian border, making it easier for residents to cross the Murray River.

Speaking to the media from Albury last week, Ms Berejiklian confirmed the border zone, which was initially stretched across a small 2.5km radius, would be significantly extended.

Any resident living within the new 50km bubble will be able to obtain a border resident permit into NSW. This revised permit will allow them to travel across the border from Victoria for school, work, to obtain goods and access certain services.

“We thank the community for your patience during what has been an extremely difficult time,” she said last week.

The border may open soon to regional Victorians but is likely to remain closed to Melburnians. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger.

“Hand on heart, one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made personally and the government’s made during this pandemic has been closing the NSW-Victorian border. It was a decision of last resort.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard also praised border communities for their patience.

NSW recorded four new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Three of those were returned travellers in hotel quarantine and the other was linked to the Concord Hospital outbreak.