NSW will not be closing its borders. However, NSW has tightened entry requirements for returning NSW residents with the signing of a new Public Health Order, after the announcement by the Victorian Government of a five-day ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown.

NSW residents in border communities will have different requirements, recognising the daily interaction of residents with Victoria.

Under the state-wide Order, anyone arriving in NSW from Victoria after 11.59pm on Friday 12 February 2021 must remain at their home or place of residence for the five-day period announced by the Victorian Government. The date previously advised has been updated following advice from the NSW Chief Health Officer.

People arriving in NSW from Victoria by air, rail or road (with the exception of people living in the border area) will also be required to complete an online declaration form.

For NSW residents living along the Victorian border, the five-day stay-at-home requirement will only apply to people who have visited Greater Melbourne after 11.59pm on Friday 12 February. It will not apply to NSW border residents who travel into regional Victoria.

The border community is defined by the map which was used for the large border ‘bubble’ arrangements at the end of the NSW-Victorian border closure last year.

The Victorian restrictions become effective at midnight tonight, and under current arrangements will expire at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February. The NSW Order will ensure those affected by stay-at-home orders will have to abide by the same restrictions.

People will be permitted to leave their places of residence for the same four reasons allowed under the Victorian measures. These are: shopping for essential items, medical and other care and caregiving, exercise, and essential work.

NSW strongly advises against all non-essential travel to Victoria at this time. People who do choose to travel will be required to follow the stay-at-home requirement on their return.

People subject to the restrictions in Victoria should not be travelling to NSW unless they are permitted to do so.

The Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers) Order 2021 is available on the NSW Health website.