The reasons for travel between Albury and Wodonga and other communities along the Murray River were tightened by the Victorian government yesterday to prevent leakage of the virus from Sydney - 600 kilometres away.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley relayed the bad news recommended by Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, who acknowledged COVID-19 wasn't creeping towards the border from Sydney, but rather the threat from daily cases consistently being in the 200s had spooked the government.

NSW border bubble residents can only cross the border to enter Victoria without a permit for:paid and voluntary work, medical care, education, care provision, essential shopping and playing sport.

The reasons also apply to Victorian bubble residents wanting to enter NSW.

Off the agenda are visiting friends, going to the pub for a meal or watching local sport.

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Border communities are so intrinsically connected with yet another economic body blow inevitable from the latest in a succession of changes since the pandemic began 18 months ago.

The bitter pill we need to swallow again comes despite great work to keep this area COVID-19 free, but our "reward" is tougher restrictions than Melbourne and regional areas of NSW, which haven't been locked down by the Berejiklian government.

There are also countless examples of regional areas responding to isolated virus outbreaks in a fast and efficient manner with Mildura, Shepparton, Colac and Orange all cases in point.

Border communities rightly feel they've become pawns in a bigger political game.

Victoria was the target of derision for its marathon lockdown last year as NSW stayed open.

The boot is on the other foot with Greater Sydney in the grip of an extended lockdown and Victorian suggestions for such measures as a ring of steel falling on deaf ears in Macquarie Street.

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