A BORDER business leader fears there will be tighter border rules and is warning traders to plan accordingly.
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Business NSW Murray-Riverina boss Andrew Cottrill was reacting to Victoria recording another peak in coronavirus cases on Friday.
"It is prudent for every business along the border corridor to start making contingency plans to manage if the border crossings were more strictly closed down," Mr Cottrill said.
"As we have seen before, restrictions can come with little notice and we cannot afford to be complacent."
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told radio 2AY on Friday that she wanted Border residents to be wary.
"I say without causing alarm or anxiety, but if there were identified to be a number of community transmission cases in Victoria or even in Albury we'd have to reconsider even how lenient we are being on the existing border, because this disease spreads so quickly," Ms Berejikilian said.
Meanwhile, a 39 year-old Victorian driver has given a blood alcohol reading of 0.084 after arriving at Albury's Wodonga Place checkpoint at 3.20pm on Thursday.
The man and his female passenger had valid border entry permits with the driver telling police he was heading to a medical appointment.
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Murray River police district chief Superintendent Paul Smith described the behaviour of the man, who will face court on August 10, as "absolutely baffling".
The army's Brigadier Mick Garraway said troops from Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney and other parts of NSW, but not Wagga military bases, were part of patrols.
He said crews were only travelling between their accommodation at Albury's Mantra hotel, where they dine, and checkpoints while in the city.
"They're not mixing in with the population of Albury," Brigadier Garraway said.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley, who joined Superintendent Smith and Albury MP Justin Clancy at Wodonga Place on Friday, expressed concern at North East citizens travelling to Melbourne and acting contrary to their primary purpose by making side visits.
He noted the NSW government had acted in good faith by allowing Victorian border residents to travel into Albury and poor behaviour could harm that arrangement.
Mr Tilley warned those who have been to Melbourne in recent times that they should isolate for 14 days and not use their permit to cross back into NSW as that could lead to significant penalties.
