CORONAVIRUS AUSTRALIA: VICTORIA-NSW BORDER CLOSURE IS QUITE SERIOUS

HERE’S A QUICK EXPLAINER ON WHAT’S HAPPENING

Just as the Aussies thought that we can resume the day to day life now, COVID-19 has given us another shock. The Victoria and NSW border will be closed at 11:59 PM this Tuesday due to a sudden surge in coronavirus cases in Victoria. The rise in cases in Victoria has ignited fears that the second wave might hit the NSW too. Hence, the state border has been closed for the first time in about a century.

What About People Who are in Another State?

If you belong to Victoria and you were on a holiday in NSW or vice versa, you need to head back to your state before 11:59 PM on Tuesday 7^th July 2020. If you cross the Victoria or NSW border past that time limit, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

How Strictly this Change Will be Enforced?

If you think that you can cross the NSW border without detection, then it won’t be easy. The NSW Police will patrol 33 bridge crossings, four major highways, and two river crossings. In addition to some officers, drones will also be used for surveillance. The probability of choosing to swim across the Murray River is also low as Mick Fuller, the NSW Police Commissioner has warned against it, and the police will use aerial surveillance to catch those who attempt it.

Anyone who tries to cross the NSW border by using unlawful means could also be asked to pay a fine of AUD 11,000 and/or serve sometime in the jail. The Australian Defence Force will also help to enforce the closure.

What About Border Communities?

If you live in a border community or need to cross it, you might get special exemptions if you plan to do it for essential purposes.

Will Trains and Flights be Operational?

Flights and trains will operate usually between the two states, but only people who have special permits after Tuesday’s border closure would be able to catch them.

How Long Will It Last?

No date has been shared, so the closure of Victoria and NSW border would last until further notice.

Even though the closure of Victoria and NSW border is a setback for Aussies, we are still doing a lot better than other nations like the US, Russia, India, and others. The global tally of coronavirus cases has crossed 11.3 million, and the global death toll has passed the 530,000 mark. It seems that a vaccine is the only solution that can help us to avoid these lockdowns and border closures!