Wodonga's WAVES public swimming pool will remain shut for the foreseeable future due to uncertainty being created by the Victorian government's road map to easing of restrictions.
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But Wodonga and border region zone residents cannot travel across the border and swim at Albury and Lavington swim centres, which are due to open in coming weeks.
Service NSW reaffirmed the only reasons to enter NSW presently were to get necessary goods or services; for care or other compassionate reasons; to attend work or education or to permanently move home into NSW.
The confirmation is a massive setback for Victorian-based casual swimmers and organisations such as the Ovens and Murray District Swimming Association which already had to cancel all winter competitions due to COVID-19.
O and M president Brendon Shiels feared the summer season could also be a write-off due to restrictions on Victorian pools including WAVES.
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"We are just in a holding pattern at the moment and looking for guidance from Swimming Victoria," he said.
"I'm starting to reach the point where we might not have a summer season at all largely because of the current rules.
"We can't put three timekeepers at the end of a lane and keep them 1.5 metres apart.
"We also can't bring 200 or 300 people into a pool for a meet.
"Unless things get more relaxed than what they are now I can't see much happening."
Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre's indoor pool has also been shut for six weeks despite Albury-Wodonga being COVID free for 60 days..
The state's road map to easing restrictions at step three will see only 20 people at a regional pool.
But step three will only be reached when statewide virus case targets are hit.
Albury Swim Centre will open on September 23 and Lavington Swim Centre will open on October 6, but Wodonga Council confirmed WAVES is remaining shut presently.
"Discussions continue with Albury-Wodonga Aquatics Facilities on the re-opening of the Wodonga venues based on information as it comes to hand from the Victorian government," council chief executive Mark Dixon said.
"The Victorian government step three guidelines do cater for councils to consider re-opening outdoor pools only with a maximum 20 people at a time from September 14, but it does not mean councils will proceed.
"Opening for only 20 people is often simply not financially viable for the contractor.
"The council will continue discussions with the contractor to discuss potential options linked to the easing of restrictions and the reopening on WAVES."
The Wodonga indoor pool successfully opened before the latest shutdown with strict hygiene protocols and lane limits for swimmers.
