Victoria declares 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.

Here's what Service Victoria says it means for border communities:


I live in a border community that is now an extreme risk zone or red 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 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 on the New South Wales or South Australia side of the cross-border community and want to travel to the Victorian-side of the cross-border community – do I need a permit to enter Victoria?

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 or South Australia.

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. 

Local Government Areas in the cross-border community

Victoria

  • Alpine Shire Council

  • City of Greater Bendigo

  • City of Greater Shepparton

  • City of Wodonga

  • Rural City of Benalla

  • Rural City of Horsham

  • Rural City of Mildura

  • Rural City of Swan Hill

  • Rural City of Wangaratta

  • Shire of Buloke

  • Shire of Campaspe

  • Shire of East Gippsland

  • Shire of Gannawarra

  • Shire of Glenelg

  • Shire of Hindmarsh

  • Shire of Indigo

  • Shire of Loddon

  • Shire of Moira

  • Shire of Southern Grampians

  • Shire of Towong

  • Shire of West Wimmera

  • Shire of Yarriambiack

* Includes residents of two unincorporated areas - Mount Hotham Alpine Resort and Falls Creek Alpine Resort.

New South Wales

  • Balranald Shire

  • Bega Valley Shire

  • Berrigan Shire

  • City of Albury

  • City of Broken Hill

  • City of Wagga Wagga

  • Edward River Council

  • Federation Council

  • Greater Hume Shire

  • Hay Shire

  • Lockhart Shire

  • Murray River Council

  • Murrumbidgee Council

  • Snowy Monaro Regional Council

  • Snowy Valleys Council

  • Wentworth Shire

Note: The Silver City Highway between the Broken Hill and Wentworth Local Government Areas is part of the NSW-Victoria border bubble.

Sara Johnston