No one expected smooth sailing but that doesn't mean Border residents' concerns about the border shutdown can just be put to one side.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Certainly everyone is becoming more and more concerned as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
It's a very worrying time, exacerbated by the figures coming out of Victoria lately.
That feeling of "what's next" hit even harder when the numbers went through the 400-barrier, along with the recording of three further deaths.
IN OTHER NEWS:
With 428 new cases in the previous 24 hours announced on Friday - just a day after the previous record was set and creating the 12th day in a row of triple-digit increases - the pressure to keep on top of this virus is becoming even more intense.
It could be easy for the various government leaders, especially Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, to have a greater focus on the woes of the city.
And given that regional areas continue to remain largely virus-free, with only a few exceptions in each, would perhaps further illustrate that point.
But few cases doesn't mean the regions aren't having their own struggles.
Tourism revenue has again been hit hard, thanks to Melburnians living day-to-day in a metropolitan-wide lock-down.
That is made even worse for the Albury-Wodonga region.
Not only are people from the city unable to visit, those wishing to come to the twin cities for whatever reason are being urged to keep well away.
Many of the negatives to flow-on from all that will not become completely clear for perhaps weeks or months, as business owners weigh-up the overall impact on their revenue.
Another significant issue for Border residents has been the closure of the border itself.
It is heartening then that Mr Andrews has now made the promise to Border residents to contact his NSW counterpart, Gladys Berejiklian, directly to tackle the "common sense" changes needed to fix the border permit system.
These problems must be remedied as soon as possible.