But it can also be said that the latest easing of restrictions will at least make for a considerably improved situation on the Border.

Coupled with the strengthening, backed by considerable fines, of the metropolitan Melbourne "ring of steel", the return to daily life travel for those in the border bubble will relieve a great deal of pressure.

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No longer will residents be restricted to certain criteria for being able to travel from Victoria into NSW, from Wodonga and surrounds into the Albury district.

Given the clear unswerving commitment of border communities to the strict protocols implemented to keep the area COVID-19-free, the easing of restrictions is completely justifiable and probably long overdue.

Families who have been split now for many weeks will be able to reconnect, friends and the unheralded support they provide within their circles will be able to do likewise and businesses will be freed of the handbrakes that have put their viability at risk.

Suffice to say though it won't be anything like plain sailing. But in the meantime we need to do what we can to support those who have lost so much revenue.

This is the message that business leaders are already trying to get out across the region, just hours after the return to the daily living criteria for movement between communities along the Murray River.

Australian Industry Group regional manager Tim Farrah sees the now even greater restrictions on travel out of Melbourne as strengthening the case for re-opening the Victorian-NSW border.

Businesses, he says, have been delivered tremendous news with the easing of our restrictions, "but we can't escape the broader damage being done to the Victorian economy".

Also, there remains anomalies in the latest Border bubble map that has failed to include key holiday destinations in Alpine Shire, such as Tawonga South, Harrietville and Porepunkah.

These issues must be addressed with the greatest of urgency.