Regional Victorians to spend fourth week this year in lockdown

The continuation of stage-four settings, including a five kilometre limit for essential shopping and exercise, until at least midnight Tuesday surprised Business Wodonga's Neil Aird.

"I thought for regional Victoria, it may go until Friday, and for Melbourne longer," he said.

"How come NSW is so different and they're just across the border?"

Victoria is putting a stop to its citizens returning from red zones; they will require an exemption to enter.

Premier Daniel Andrews, announcing the two-week pause, said the border bubble was unchanged.

"I don't want to have to change that unless I have good reason to, unless ... there is evidence of cases from Sydney coming into that bubble," he said.

But as movements into Victoria were further restricted, NSW Labor MP Kristy McBain said she wanted the Victorian government to reinstate border green zones.

"I've reached out to the Victorian government because I am concerned that regional parts of NSW are being unfairly categorised as the same as Sydney," she said.

"We know it may take some time before cases in Sydney are brought down to zero and I don't want to see our border communities locked out to Victoria for the duration of this time.

"As soon as it is safe to do so, we want to see Victorians returning."

The economic impacts are also being felt keenly on the Victorian side and the Premier flagged the state government was considering targetted support packages for sectors like the Alpine industry.

Alpine Shire Mayor John Forsyth said a seven-day extension to the lockdown, while necessary, will impact local communities.

"We know lockdowns take an emotional, physical and economic toll on our communities, and place our businesses under pressure, but we also know they're necessary for public health and safety," he said.

"It's unfortunate that the Alpine Resorts have had to close at the height of winter, and I hope we'll enjoy a strong snow season once restrictions are lifted, but we understand why lockdowns are necessary.

"I urge our communities to listen to the health experts, get vaccinated if you're eligible, and follow the rules - these restrictions are in place to keep us safe."

Cr Forsyth said it was vital to support local businesses facing another week of zero or limited trading.

"We encourage our communities to support local business as much as they can during lockdown and beyond," he said.

"Perhaps choose takeaway from your favourite eatery, buy local food and produce or buy a gift voucher from a local store.

"We know this is hard, but we've seen time and time again our communities rally together and overcome obstacles with kindness, empathy and generosity."

The announcement of the extension included new advice that "where a parent or carer indicates that a student with a disability cannot learn from home ... the school must provide on-site learning for that student".

Belvoir Special School principal Pennie Moffat said the extended lockdown would impact families.

"It's welcome news for our families, that some of the students who've not been able to successfully learn from home now have the opportunity to go to school," she said.

Principals' Association of Specialist Schools president Cameron Peverett said while schools had stayed open for essential workers, the new advice "provides parents with a bit more clout as to whether they feel they need their child to attend school".

Remote learning will continue, after students had just four days back on school grounds for term three.

Victoria recorded 13 new cases and NSW recorded 78.

A testing clinic was established at Cootamundra after a visitor to a private residence tested positive.

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Murrumbidgee Local Health District stated no risk to the community had been identified.

Meanwhile, delayed results were being returned to residents tested at the Lavington Hall last week after more than 100 hours.

A Jindera mum said her son's negative result came back at 9pm on Monday but it was a "nightmare" for people waiting.

Laverty Pathology, which operates testing at the Lavington Hall, is experiencing statewide delays.