It was nice while it lasted for Victorians, as the state records three new positive coronavirus cases today.
It has not yet been verified whether the virus was contracted via local transmission related to the Sydney cluster but Victorias’s 61 days of no new community infections is over.
While authorities reassured the press they have already traced all close contacts of the positive cases, the Andrews government decided to tighten the closure of the NSW border.
While restrictions tighten, anyone that has visited the Blue Mountains or Wollongong from 27 December until 11.59pm on the 31 December will be able to enter Victoria, however, returning travellers to Victoria from these areas between must apply for a new travel permit through Service Victoria as of tonight.
Furthermore, anyone that has been in those areas must get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria, and must self-quarantine at home for a minimum of 14 days.
Nobody who has visited these areas will be able to enter Victoria after December 31.
Anyone currently in Victoria, who has been in Wollongong or the Blue Mountains since 27 December is urged to get tested and stay at home until a negative test result is received.
In total, there are eight active coronavirus cases in Victoria with seven identified as returning international travellers in hotel quarantine — one is a new positive.
Victoria Police is also mobilised to break up crowds even on New Year’s Eve if the maximum number of 100 currently allowed is exceeded.
