Mandatory hotel quarantine for those who cross into NSW to Victoria will not apply to residents already in Albury-Wodonga's border zone, but will apply to anyone coming from the wider area of North East Victoria.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Wednesday that residents returning home from Victoria from Friday would have to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.
It would apply to everyone except those within the limited border bubble.
The move was intended to limit the number of people being able to cross the border on critical worker permits by flying from Melbourne to Sydney, rather than drive up the Hume Freeway where there are strict roadblocks.
"No one can come to NSW outside of those border communities, as defined by the public health orders, but for Sydney airport. We don't want to see multiple places where returned travellers are coming," Ms Berejiklian said.
"We anticipate the further lockdown, both in greater Melbourne and regional Victoria, will assist us in the numbers we're dealing with."
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The NSW government confirmed the new rules meant no more flights would fly into Albury from Melbourne.
Ms Berejiklian said the escalating situation in Victoria was top of mind and the response so far had been "absolutely rigorous".
"We are doing well in holding the line," she said.
"The fact that we've been able to withstand what's going on at our doorstep has been the result of these incredible efforts."
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said there was a risk from those returning from Melbourne, even if they did have a permit.
"These measures do not impact on the border zone movements or the border regions, but we're cracking down on that critical services aspect of the exemptions," she said.
