The NSW Government will reopen its border with Victoria on November 23 in a move Premier Gladys Berejiklian described as a "calculated risk".
Key points:
- The NSW Premier said there would be free movement between the two states from midnight on November 23
- There were three locally acquired cases in NSW, but all were contacts of existing cases
- NSW Health welcomed the news that over 17,000 people were tested
Ms Berejiklian said Victoria's "severe" and "prolonged" lockdown may have eliminated COVID-19 in the state.
She said that assessment was based on NSW Health advice.
"They may have, because of the lockdown, actually gone down a path of having eliminated it at this point in time," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Come a minute past midnight on November 23, there will be free movement between NSW and Victoria."
The reopening date should give people confidence to make plans, book holidays and reunite families.
Meanwhile Ms Berejiklian said NSW businesses failing to keep records of patrons put Australia's strong position amid the pandemic at risk.
It comes after Jasmins1 Lebanese Restaurant in Western Sydney was forced to close indefinitely for failing to come up with records of staff and patrons in a "timely manner".
"We don't want a handful of businesses doing the wrong thing to jeopardise the entire strategy of the state and arguably the nation," she said.
Ms Berejiklian encouraged all businesses to use the Service NSW QR code, explaining it would be easier for patrons as the app prefills past details.
Health authorities in NSW today confirmed three new locally acquired coronavirus infection in the 24 hours to 8.00pm yesterday.
All three are in isolation and are close contacts of existing cases.
There were a further six cases reported among returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
More than 17,000 people were tested during the reporting period.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant urged people who live or work in Liverpool, Fairfield and Campbelltown areas to be particularly vigilant about symptoms.
"We have continually seen occasional cases pop up of locally acquired cases where we are unable to identify a source", she said.
"That indicates there are unrecognised chains of transmission occurring in south-western Sydney."
Today's border announcement will have a significant economic impact on regional and rural communities, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
"Today's announcement is one we can celebrate, " he said.
Mr Barilaro said today's announcement was a reward to those communities who "did the right thing" in adhering to border bubble rules.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews welcomed the announcement, saying it was a strong endorsement from Ms Berejiklian.
"The Premier of NSW wouldn't be opening her border if she didn't have confidence Victorians could maintain the low numbers," he said.
However, he urged Victorians not to be in too much of a hurry to leave their own state.
"Don't go to Sydney for Christmas for summer holidays. We have lots of places here you can visit," he said.
Ms Berejiklian introduced a border closure between NSW and Victoria in early July, saying a concerning spike in cases left her with no other option.
There were at least 55 border crossings between the two states and the closure created chaos as locals on both sides adjusted to the new arrangements.
In early September, the NSW Government introduced a so-called border bubble travel zone, which ended up being bigger than the 50 kilometre area proposed by the Premier.
It allowed more residents to cross for work, access essential goods and services, and for care and compassionate reasons.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTExLTA0L25zdy1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy12aWN0b3JpYW4tYm9yZGVyLXRvLW9wZW4vMTI4NDY0MTbSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI4NDY0MTY?oc=5
2020-11-04 00:09:00Z
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