The new border region and “border region resident” permit will come into effect at 12:01am on Friday, 4 September.
The new permit will allow a resident within the border region to enter NSW to obtain necessary goods or services for care or other compassionate reasons and to attend work or obtain educational services (where it is not reasonable for the person to work or obtain educational services from their state of residence).
For NSW residents along the border region, they are authorised to enter Victoria only for the reason allowed in the permit and must not travel to any part of Victoria that is outside of the border region or is a COVID-19 area of concern.
For Victorian residents along the border, they are allowed to enter and remain in NSW only for the reason allowed in the permit and must not travel to any part of NSW that is outside of the border region.
In addition, Victorian residents must not enter NSW if the resident had travelled in Victoria in a restricted area, such as Greater Melbourne, or a COVID-19 area of concern in Victoria within the previous 14 days.
Ms Berejiklian said the NSW government was pleased to make these changes given the reduced risk of community transmission in regional Victoria.
“We are working hard to reduce the angst and frustration caused by this border closure,” she said.
The NSW government had recently announced a new round of grants aimed at small businesses affected by the economic impacts of the southern border closure with Victoria.
Businesses in 13 local government areas (LGAs) along the NSW and Victorian border will be able to apply for $5,000 and $10,000 grants from 8 September until 18 October.