The NSW Government Is Urging Sydneysiders to Postpone Non-Urgent Travel to Greater Melbourne
NSW Health has also issued a number of requests that cover folks from Victoria who have already made their way to NSW — or plan to in the future.
Melbourne's latest COVID-19 outbreak has been escalating quickly. It was only back on Monday, just two days ago, that the first cases were identified — and now the new overnight tally has already hit double digits, restrictions and an indoor mask mandate have been reimplemented in Greater Melbourne, and the list of exposure sites keeps growing. In response, New Zealand has paused quarantine-free travel from Victoria, while Australia's states are beginning to change their entry requirements. And, although, the New South Wales Government isn't fond of shutting of borders (as everyone has learned countless times during the pandemic so far), NSW Health has just issued a public health alert warning against travelling south.
Released just before 4pm today, Wednesday, May 26, the alert urges Sydneysiders to postpone all non-urgent travel to the Greater Melbourne area. It hasn't implemented a travel ban, or made any movements regarding closing the border with Victoria; however, it is also recommending that NSW residents steer clear of Bendigo as well.
NSW Health has also issued a number of requests that cover folks from Victoria who have already made their way to NSW — or plan to in the future. If you're currently in the state and you've been in Victoria since Wednesday, May 12, you're asked to check the Victorian Department of Health's list of exposure sites and, if you've been to one, to take the required action regarding testing and self-isolating. You're also requested to contact NSW Health ASAP.
If you're in NSW now, have been in Victoria since Wednesday, May 12, but haven't visited an exposure site, you're asked to still monitor for symptoms, get tested and then self-isolate the moment any arise. NSW Health also requests that you avoid visiting residential aged care facilities and healthcare facilities, unless you're heading to the latter to get medical attention or for compassionate reasons.
And, if you've been in the Whittlesea Local Government Area in particular — which is where the current cluster has been concentrated so far — you're also requested to limit your exposure to high-risk settings in NSW, including pubs, clubs and gyms, as well as large family gatherings and really any crowded indoor setting. That applies for a fortnight since you were last in the Whittlesea Local Government Area.
Travel declarations are also now in effect, too. So, anyone heading to NSW that's been in Greater Melbourne or Bendigo in the last 14 days will have to complete an online form — via the Service NSW website — stating that you haven't been to an exposure site.
As always, the usual general advice regarding hygiene and social distancing applies in NSW, as it has throughout the pandemic.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For further details about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria, check out the Victorian Department of Health website.
