Victorian border residents will once again be able to travel into NSW without needing to comply with stay-at-home restrictions following a late-night change to the NSW Public Health Order.
On Friday afternoon, Victorian residents along the Murray River were left shocked when they were told they could only travel into NSW for four essential reasons, despite restrictions in regional Victoria being eased.
However, on Sunday night the NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed the amendment that allows for the movement between the two states — provided residents have not left the border region in the past 14 days.
NSW Cross-Border Commissioner James McTavish said the changes from Monday would allow for border communities to once again go about their everyday lives.
"There are some restrictions and they are that you cannot travel further afield in NSW and, if you do, you're then bound by those four reasons to leave your residence and also you can't have travelled further afield in Victoria," Mr McTavish said.
He said last week's decision to restrict Victorian residents in their activities in NSW came amid concerns about the spread of the virus in the southern state.
"There has been quite a lot of concern in NSW about the re-emergence of coronavirus and concern that some of the additional measures that were previously in place in Victoria were absent this time," he said.
"I note that there are still a substantial number of close and casual contact venues that are listed on the NSW and Victorian health sites.
"If people have been to any of those close or casual contact venues they must abide by the additional restrictions that are put in place, which include prevention on entry into NSW for Victorian residents."
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said it was good news for border communities after last Friday's decision to impose restrictions on Victorian border residents travelling into NSW left people angry and frustrated.
But Mr Tilley criticised the decision to tighten the restrictions in the first place.
"There was a meeting on Friday afternoon. Some things came out of that meeting that I was aware of, which made some significant restrictions," he said.
He said he hoped residents could now return to some sort of normal.
"I feel nothing but empathy for all the cafes and restaurants and other businesses," Mr Tilley said.
"It is fair to say that some people in Victoria are not only looking at losing their businesses but also are close to losing their homes as well."
