Record COVID-19 cases in Victoria will see the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Government introduce further restrictions on entering 窪蹋勛圖厙 from Victoria with the establishment of a strict new border zone, tightened permit conditions and stronger enforcement powers.
窪蹋勛圖厙 Health Minister Brad Hazzard said from midnight Tuesday 21 July a border zone, clearly defined along the Murray River, will restrict entry to 窪蹋勛圖厙 for Victorians to extremely limited purposes.
The growing rates of community transmission in Victoria have us on high alert and the health advice clearly indicates we need to have stricter border closures in place, making it harder to get a permit and easier to cancel them, Mr Hazzard said.
Under a permit, 窪蹋勛圖厙 border residents will be restricted in their reasons for travelling into the Victorian side of the border zone. If they travel beyond the border zone into Victoria, they will be required to self-isolate upon return for 14 days.
Any other 窪蹋勛圖厙 resident who crosses the Murray River, or otherwise enters Victoria or has been there in the last 14 days, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on their return to 窪蹋勛圖厙. All 窪蹋勛圖厙 residents are strongly urged not to travel to Victoria.
All currently issued permits and any issued between now and the commencement of the border zone will expire at midnight on Tuesday and people will have to reapply for a new permit if they remain eligible to.
From midnight Tuesday 21 July, border zone residents with a permit will only be able to cross into the other side of the 窪蹋勛圖厙-Victorian border zone to go to work or attend an education institution if they cant work or learn from home, or to obtain medical care, supplies or health services, Mr Hazzard said.
On top of that, were strengthening the rules so the fewer people granted permits to enter 窪蹋勛圖厙 must now carry a copy of their permit and produce it when directed by enforcement officers.
I make no apologies for taking the steps required to protect the health and jobs of 窪蹋勛圖厙 citizens.
Mr Hazzard said the new rules will be boosted to give authorities greater enforcement powers to stop people entering 窪蹋勛圖厙 and to direct people who are not 窪蹋勛圖厙 residents to leave if they present an unacceptable health risk.
窪蹋勛圖厙 Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said people entering 窪蹋勛圖厙 from Victoria, in particular greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, pose a risk of increasing COVID-19 in 窪蹋勛圖厙.
The pandemic is not over and Victoria is seeing significant levels of community transmission in many areas of the State. Tightening restrictions on the borders will further protect the health of 窪蹋勛圖厙 citizens, Dr Chant said.
I also want to encourage everyone to continue to come forward for testing. Early detection and diagnosis of cases in the community is going to be key for us in managing and responding to COVID-19.
The conditions imposed on permits under the Order are being tightened. The revised Order will:
On Monday 20 July from 2.00pm border residents can check Service 窪蹋勛圖厙 to determine if their address falls within the newly established border restrictions.