MILDURA Police Superintendent Rebecca Olsen said people living and working inside the “border bubble” needed to protect it by abiding by the rules in place.
THE reasons for New South Wales border bubble residents entering Victoria have been tightened as the NSW health authorities struggle to curb positive COVID-19 cases.
From 11.59pm on Tuesday, there will be only six essential reasons to cross over the Murray River.
Under the changes declared by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, border bubble residents can cross the border to enter Victoria without a permit only for necessary goods and services, including medical care and getting a COVID-19 test, care and compassionate reasons, paid or voluntary work, education, getting a COVID-19 vaccination and sport and exercise at a sporting club or recreation facility.
The changes mean border bubble residents cannot cross the border without a permit to visit a friend, go for a pub meal or to go on holiday.
“With the outbreak in NSW still growing, the public health advice is clear: we need to limit unessential movement across the border into Victoria where it is practical and reasonable,” Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said on Monday.
“We know this will affect many border residents, but so will another outbreak of the Delta variant on our doorstep – we need to keep our border residents and all Victorians safe.”
If a Victorian border bubble resident has travelled to NSW or a NSW border bubble resident enters Victoria for a non-essential reason, they can be subject to a fine of up to $5452.
Supt Bec Olsen said Victoria Police would be working closely with their counterparts in NSW.
“Mildura will continue their roaming and roving patrols focusing on the travellers from outside the bubble but now also those New South Wales bubble residents that are travelling beyond the bubble that don’t fall into one the below reasons, we will be working closely with NSWPol,” she said.
“To be able to continue to live and work within the border bubble is a gift in itself allowing us the flexibility to move freely between states we all need to ensure that we protect it and abide by the 6 reasons that apply. This is essentially a permit system but without the permits.”
Under the new restrictions, people crossing the border to enter Victoria for one of the essential reasons must also not travel further than necessary for that activity.
These permitted reasons also apply to Victorian border bubble residents who plan to enter NSW – they will need to have observed the permitted essential reasons for travel while in NSW if they wish to return to Victoria without a permit.
Travel for sport and exercise will be limited to the minimum number of people required to participate and run it – with spectator travel not permitted. Parents can transport their children for community sport.
Existing exceptions to obtaining a permit will continue to apply, including allowing a person to enter Victoria for certain reasons such as emergencies or if they are escaping family violence.
All NSW remains an extreme risk zone under Victoria’s travel permit system.
NSW recorded 207 new local COVID-19 cases on Monday, with the source of 102 cases under investigation.
Victoria recorded just two new local cases in the 24 hours to Monday morning. The new cases were linked to the current outbreak an all were in quarantine throughout their infectious period.
There are now 134 active cases in Victoria.
