The Victorian government has declared all of NSW an 'extreme risk zone'.
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Victoria has added a new category to its interstate travel permit system, designating all of NSW a COVID-19 "extreme risk zone".
As a result of the change, border bubble residents can only cross the border if it is within five kilometres from their home - unless they need to travel for medical reasons, vaccination or permitted work.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton made the "extreme risk zone" declaration late on Friday, effective from 11.59pm.
Mr Sutton said the change to the traffic light system allowed Victoria to keep a harsh no-returns policy for Victorians in NSW, while allowing Victorians in less-concerning red zones such as the ACT and South Australia to return home on a red zone permit.
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"It's very strict in terms of the movement of people across the border being minimised as much as we can," Mr Sutton said.
Here's what Service Victoria says it means for border communities:
I live in a NSW border community that is now an extreme risk zone. Can I enter Victoria?
While Victoria is in lockdown, cross-border community residents (who live outside of Victoria) can enter Victoria, for one of the five following reasons:
- shopping for necessary goods and services
- care and caregiving, including medical care and getting a COVID-19 test
- exercise
- authorised work and permitted study
- to get a COVID-19 vaccination
Cross-border community residents are subject to a 5km limit into Victoria that applies for exercise or obtaining necessary goods and services.
For example, if you live 2km away from the border, you are only able to travel 3km into Victoria.
The 5km limit does not apply to obtain goods or services for health or medical purposes, or if the 5km limit would make it impractical to get necessary goods and services.
Only one person may enter Victoria per day for the purposes of obtaining necessary goods and services (except if the person is parent or guardian of a child), or to obtain good or serves for health or medical purposes, or from financial institutions or government bodies, or the person requires care and support.
I live in a border bubble but I plan to travel into metropolitan Melbourne. Do I need a travel permit?
No. However, while Victoria is in lockdown, there are restrictions on how far residents of the border bubble communities can travel to exercise or obtain necessary goods in Victoria, even if your home is in New South Wales.
For example, if you live outside Victoria, and 2km away from the border, you are able to travel 3km into Victoria and would need an exemption or exception to travel to metropolitan Melbourne or further afield in regional Victoria.
The 5km limit does not apply to Victorian residents for the purpose of obtaining goods or services from government bodies, or for health or medical purposes.
It also does not apply if the 5km limit would make it impractical to get the necessary goods and services.
For persons who live outside of Victoria, but in a border bubble community, the 5km limit does not apply to obtain goods or services for health or medical purposes, or if the 5km limit would make it impractical to get necessary goods and services.
Additionally, NSW Health has implemented its own border restrictions.
Under those restrictions any NSW resident who travels beyond the border bubble in Victoria must self-isolate for 14 days upon return to NSW.
I live on the NSW side of the cross-border community and want to travel to the Victorian-side of the cross-border community - do I need a permit?
No. However, while Victoria is in lockdown, there are restrictions on how far residents of the border bubble communities can travel to exercise or obtain necessary goods in Victoria, even if your home is in New South Wales.
The 5km limit does not apply to obtain goods or services for health or medical purposes, or if the 5km limit would make it impractical to get necessary goods and services.
There are different conditions if you have been to an orange zone, red zone or extreme risk zone outside of the cross-border community, or if you have COVID-19, or any symptoms, or are a close contact.
I live on the Victorian side of the cross-border community and want to travel to the New South Wales side of the cross-border community - will I need a permit to re-enter Victoria?
No. However, you must not leave your place of residence, except for the following reasons:
- to obtain necessary goods and services
- care and caregiving, including medical care and getting a COVID-19 test
- exercise
- authorised work and permitted study
- to get a COVID-19 vaccination
While Victoria is in lockdown, there are restrictions on how far residents of the border bubble communities can travel.
I live on the New South Wales or South Australia side of the border community and want to travel to Victoria - do I need to follow Victorian restrictions?
Yes, once you are in Victoria, you must comply with all state laws, including the Victorian chief health officer's directions.
Authorities ask you to stay within the Victorian cross-border community area at all times.
I live on the Victorian side of the cross-border community and want to travel to a red zone or extreme risk zone outside the cross-border community - will I need a permit to re-enter Victoria?
If you live on the Victorian side of the cross-border community you must only leave your house for one of the five reasons.
You will need to apply for a permit, or have an exemption or exception to re-enter Victoria if you travel to a red zone or extreme risk zone outside of the cross border community.
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