The NSW government has introduced new border restrictions limiting non essential travel from Victoria in a bid to stem the tide of rapidly climbing COVID-19 cases.

Victoria border restrictions

Travel restrictions were tightened from midnight on Tuesday July 21st, banning all non-essential travel from Victoria.

Visitors from Victoria will only be permitted to cross the New South Wales border for three essential reasons: work, healthcare or education.

The new border closures will render all current border permits will be rendered invalid, meaning anyone who intends to cross between Victoria and New South Wales will need to reapply for a border exemption via the Service NSW website.

NSW border restrictions

NSW residents who have travelled to Victoria will also be ordered into a mandatory 14-days of self-isolation upon returning. This new rule extends to anyone who has been to Victoria in the past 14 days.

An update on Australia’s current COVID-19 cases

The new restrictions are aimed at bringing a second wave of coronavirus cases under control. Australia’s COVID-19 growth factor now sits at 1.05.

The growth factor number indicates how quickly the number of virus cases in any one country is going up – or down. Anything under 1.0 indicates that the outbreak can be considered “under control”.

NSW and Victoria current coronavirus cases

NSW has recorded 16 new cases in the past 24 hours, putting the total number of New South Wales cases at 3,425. Of those cases, 15 have been linked to known outbreaks at NSW COVID hotspots the Crossroads Hotel and Thai Rock restaurant. One case is an international traveller currently in hotel quarantine.

Victoria continues to record rapidly escalating coronavirus cases. Today’s numbers set a new daily record with 484 confirmed cases overnight, bringing the total number of cases in VIC to 6739.

Restrictions on indoor gatherings to change this week

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today that the state is on “high alert” and that she was “concerned” about the growing clusters in NSW.

Ms Berejiklian also indicated that new restrictions on indoor gatherings will be rolled out on Friday July 24th.

“Indoor activities are the greatest threat in spreading the disease,” said Ms Berejiklian. She warned business owners to follow the rules or face harsh penalties, also noting that restaurants and hospitality venues had been given “ample time” to adjust.

Victorian lockdown may be extended

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also warned that a significantly longer lockdown of up to six weeks wasn’t out of the question, if Victoria’s “stark” coronavirus statistics don’t improve.

Masks recommended in outbreak areas

Australia’s peak medical authority is now urging residents of outbreak areas to wear masks, especially where physical distancing is difficult. Face coverings, however, are currently not mandatory.

Cross border travel in South Australia

Meanwhile, cross border travel into South Australia remains possible, but aall incoming visitors are required to complete a cross border approval form at least 72 hours prior to arriving in the state.

All travellers to South Australia are required to enter mandatory 14 day quarantine upon crossing the border, no matter where their journey originates or what state they are citizens of.

The South Australian government elected to keep its borders with New South Wales closed last week, after earlier announcing an intention to reopen the border this week.

Queensland and NT travel ban update

The Northern Territory government confirmed last week that its borders would remain closed to over 5 million residents of Greater Metropolitan Sydney, with all new arrivals to be ordered into mandatory supervised quarantine and billed $2,500.

Queensland has also effectively banned incoming travellers from the Sydney metro area, last week announcing that several Sydney suburbs would be recognised as COVID hotspots.

WA travel exemption

Western Australia’s strict border controls remain. Entry to WA is not permitted unless you obtain a travel exemption.

Last week, WA introduced additional restrictions for anyone who has visited or travelled through Victoria or NSW in the previous 14 days unless they meet strict new entry requirements. Even once an exemption is obtained, all arrivals from NSW and Victoria are required to enter mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Intrastate travel in WA is permitted. However, travel to remote Indigenous communities remains prohibited.

You can stay up-to-date on all the changing restrictions and border closures with this live map, which shows you where you can and can’t travel.