Two cars refused entry as police enforce Victoria-NSW border closure

Only two Victorian cars have been refused entry into NSW after almost 1000 police and defence force personnel descended on the border at midnight.

Only two Victorian cars have been refused entry into NSW in the first 10 hours since the border was closed at midnight.

More than 650 NSW police and 300 defence force personnel have been deployed to guard 55 entry points in drastic measures to try to stop Victoria’s coronavirus explosion spreading to other parts of the country.

NSW Police confirmed on Wednesday morning that only two cars had been turned around by 10.30am, with thousands of others allowed to enter the state.

Photos from the Hume Highway at Albury-Wodonga showed hundreds of cars banked up waiting to enter NSW, while dozens of police officers checked cars at the old fruit fly inspection point and customs house on the Lincoln Causeway.

Police have urged motorists to be ready to provide all relevant documentation and identification at checkpoints in order to enter NSW to help with reducing delays.

Police check motorists at a roadblock on the NSW border in Albury. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

Traffic on the Hume Freeway in Albury heading into NSW is backing up after the NSW border was closed overnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

Cars at the location of the old fruit fly inspection spot on the Lincoln Causeway waiting to enter NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

“Those who have not yet been able to apply for an exemption must have evidence to prove their eligibility for an exemption, otherwise they will be turned away,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Whyte is expected to update the media on the enforcement of the border closure in South Albury on Wednesday afternoon.

It’s the first time in 100 years – since the outbreak of the Spanish flu in 1919 – that the border has been closed between the two states.

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