The New South Wales government announced it will reopen its border with Victoria on Monday, 23 November, something Premier Gladys Berejiklian said would be a “calculated risk”.
Victoria has currently had five consecutive days without recording a new infection.
Ms Berejiklian said the move to open the borders to Victoria was based on the advice of NSW Health.
“They may have, because of the lockdown, actually gone down a path of having eliminated it at this point in time,” she said.
“Come a minute past midnight on November 23, there will be free movement between NSW and Victoria.
“We need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe.”
Tasmania
The Tasmanian government also revealed it would open its border with New South Wales from Friday, 6 November.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the state’s public health officials advised that the very low number of recent unexplained cases in NSW, two in the last 28 days, meant that it is safe for people to enter Tasmania from NSW without quarantine.
“Travellers coming into Tasmania from NSW from Friday will be able to enter our state without quarantine. However, they will still be subject to health screening at our air and sea ports, including being asked to have a COVID test if necessary,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein also said that with case numbers in Victoria also very low and outbreaks appearing to be under control, he hopes that Tasmania can relax border restrictions with Victoria on Tuesday, 1 December.
“I will continue to keep Tasmanians informed on this matter, as Victoria is our closest neighbour and home to many Tasmanians’ families and friends,” Mr Gutwein said.
