Following an increase in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the NSW border will close from midnight Tuesday, 7 July.
Following an outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne and 127 cases of community transmission in Victoria overnight, the decision has been made today to close the border between NSW and Victoria. People from NSW will not be allowed to travel to Victoria, and those returning to NSW from Victoria will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
NSW will be responsible for enforcing the closure, and a permit system will be set up via Service NSW for people who need to travel between the states for work, education and medical care. This will take a few days, and in the meantime everyone is asked to avoid travel.
NSW Police and members of the Australian Defence Force will enforce the border closure from the ground and via drone and air patrols 24/7. Within NSW, Police will also enforce self-isolation.
If you ride in Albury Wodonga, or on other roads or trails near the border with Victoria, please be sure not to cross until you have permission to do so. Penalties for failing to comply include fines of up to $11,000 or six months in jail.
For anyone who has already travelled to Victoria for work or leisure, check ahead with Service NSW before returning. It is not known yet how long this closure will last. NSW Residents are also encouraged to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms that may relate to COVID-19.
“For our members who ride near the NSW Victoria border, or who have travelled, this presents a new challenge,” said General Manager of Public Affairs, Bastien Wallace.
“We will continue to update you as more is known, but we encourage everyone to follow the directions of government,” said Bastien.
For more information NSW Health has a range of COVID-19 resources.
