At 11.59pm on New Year's Day, Victoria closed its border to New South Wales, barring entry to everyone except those in exceptional circumstances - and those living in border communities.
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These border communities are determined according to local government area on both sides of the Murray, and are afforded a level of freedom of movement across the Murray.
What are the border communities?
The following local government areas form the 'border bubble'.
In Victoria, these are:
- Greater Bendigo
- Campaspe
- Loddon
- Buloke
- Gannawarra
- Mildura
- Swan Hill
- Moira
- Wangaratta
- Indigo
- Yarriambiack
- Buloke
- Greater Shepparton
- Benalla
- Wodonga
- Towong
- East Gippsland
In NSW, the local government areas are:
- Albury City
- Balranald
- Bega Valley
- Berrigan
- Broken Hill
- Edward River
- Federation
- Greater Hume
- Hay
- Lockhart
- Murray River
- Murrumbidgee
- Snowy Monaro
- Snowy Valleys
- Wagga Wagga
- Wentworth
What can border bubble residents do?
Residents within the bubble can cross the border into NSW and will be permitted to return to Victoria, so long as they do not venture beyond the border areas on the NSW side.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said "both NSW and Victorian border residents are able to travel as they would for their normal day to day activities like work, shopping and eating out".
"People who live in a border community don't need a permit to travel, but must carry a valid form of ID with a current address when travelling," the DHHS spokesperson said.
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There is no restriction on how far within the border bubble residents of these communities can travel.
However, anyone who has been beyond the NSW border region in the past 14 days will not be allowed into Victoria unless they have an exemption or essential worker permit.
This applies to both Victorian and NSW residents from within the border bubble and outside it.
There are no requirements for border bubble residents to get tested, isolate or quarantine if they have been into a NSW border community, beyond the usual restrictions for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
I need to travel through NSW to get home from another state - am I allowed?
People travelling into Victoria who need to pass through NSW from another state can apply for transit permits, which will give them entry to Victoria.
Those who do this must minimise interactions with the public in NSW, wear a mask when outside their vehicle, and record where they stop.
People flying into Victoria and transiting through NSW are permitted to do so, but cannot leave the airport.
Those who follow these rules will not have to quarantine once back in Victoria.
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