Towong Shire and Tallangatta businesses deal with changing border closure rules

Chief executive Juliana Phelps was forced to log in from her Albury home for the council's special meeting on Tuesday held at Tallangatta to hand down its 2020-21 draft budget.

Local government is not considered an essential service under the revised border permits and Tallangatta has not been included in the more tightly defined border community announced by the NSW government.

Ms Phelps would have to do 14 days in isolation if she travelled across the border and outside the new "blue zone" under the tightening of rules.

Up to eight council staff members who normally work out of the Tallangatta head office are in the same boat.

Towong mayor David Wortmann said the council was blindsided by the tougher border controls and was learning of the changes via the media.

"We were in meetings late last week where the talk was trying to expand the zone," he said.

"There are a number of people who live in Tallangatta and work in Albury and can't go to work."

On the flipside, Tallangatta Bakery also has two bakers who reside in Albury and can't come to Tallangatta unless it can be proved the bakery fits the manufacturing definition of an essential service.

The bakery has sought clarification on its status as a manufacturer with the NSW government, but a final answer is not expected until Wednesday.

State MPs Bill Tilley and Justin Clancy on Tuesday began compiling a list of towns on both sides of the border sitting outside the "blue zone" such as Tallangatta which can be put forward for consideration as last-minute inclusions.

Also outside the "blue zone" are Murray Valley Highway communities Bonegilla, Huon, Georges Creek, Bullioh, Tallangatta Valley, Shelley, Berringama and Cudgewa.

But further east, Corryong, Towong, Bringenbrong, Walwa and Tintaldra are in the "blue zone".

There is no restriction on these communities outside the "blue zone" travelling to Wodonga.