Coronavirus: Berejiklian urged to close Victoria border

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay says the time had come for NSW to shut its borders or risk a catastrophe for the community.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. centre, has resisted closing the border with Victoria. Picture: Adam Yip

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been urged to close the border with Victoria over fears that COVID-19 in the southern state might cause a second wave to the north.

With 74 new cases diagnosed in Victoria overnight, NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said the time had come for NSW to shut its borders or risk a catastrophe for the community.

In NSW 14 new cases were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday. All of the new victims are overseas travellers in hotel quarantine. A total of 18,144 tests were performed during that period.

Ms Berejiklian has resisted closing the border with Victoria but her government has instituted strict conditions on incoming arrivals from that state, particularly on those from coronavirus “hotspots”.

She has also been an advocate for other states to open their borders to stimulate the tourism industry.

“We have confidence that the Andrews government is taking appropriate action to contain its COVID-19 spread,” said Ms McKay of the Labor government. “However, our priority must, as always, be the public health of NSW.”

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay. Picture: Adam Yip

Ms McKay pointed to the mismanagement of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which resulted in the largest single cluster of novel coronavirus cases anywhere in Australia, as a reason why the borders needed to close.

“Until now I have supported the Premier’s decision not to change NSW-Victoria border arrangements, but given the serious situation unfolding in Melbourne we believe a border closure must now be on the table,” she said.

Ms McKay added that such an approach had been taken by other state governments and should now “be a priority for our Premier”.

“This is not an easy decision but it is the right one at this time.”