Victoria has announced new restrictions for some travellers from Queensland and Western Australia as a result of the latest coronavirus concerns in the two states.
From 1am on Monday, June 28, Greater Brisbane in Queensland and the Perth Metropolitan and Peel regions in Western Australia will be designated orange zones under Victoria's travel permit system.
People who have been in orange zones can obtain a permit to enter Victoria but must isolate on entry, get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.
https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1409107385524752389All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit even if they are entering from a green zone.
Any close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case, including anyone who has been to a high-risk exposure site, is not allowed to enter Victoria.
Exceptions and exemptions are listed on Victoria's travel permit website.
State on high alert despite no new cases
Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired coronavirus cases overnight as numbers in New South Wales continue to climb.
Acting Premier James Merlino said Victorian authorities were closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in NSW, while the state has declared Darwin a red zone after it recorded four new local cases today and entered a snap lockdown.
He wished those in lockdown the best and thanked people for doing the right thing.
READ MORE: NSW records 30 new COVID-19 cases on first day of lockdown
Mr Merlino also said a major operation was underway to ensure nobody entered Victoria illegally.
Licence plate technology and booze buses are being used to monitor people entering the state from NSW.
"Victoria Police so far are reporting a high level of compliance, people who try to cross the border without the appropriate permits are being turned around," Mr Merlino said.
More than 200 officers have been deployed to the border to prevent anyone unlawfully entering Victoria.
Testing Commander Jeroen Weimar said close contacts of a Virgin crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 had been identified and authorities were working quickly.
"With regard to the positive case from New South Wales who flew in on flight on the Virgin flight VA334 on Friday afternoon, we have received a passenger manifest this morning," he said.
READ MORE: Restrictions announced for Perth after woman returning from Sydney tests positive to COVID-19
"We are following up with 128 passengers who were on that flight that arrived from Brisbane on Friday afternoon, and a total of 43 staff have been identified as primary close contacts of the of the worker.
"My thanks to Virgin and my thanks to the to the individual. She was tested yesterday afternoon in NSW, so we have a very swift response in place for her."
Virgin Flight VA334 from Brisbane to Melbourne on June 25 has been declared a Tier 1 exposure site.
Anyone who was on that 2.55pm-5.20pm flight must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days regardless of the result.
Mr Weimar also implored Victorians not to enter NSW, and to get tested if they have recently returned from the state.
"My concern at this point in time is that we may, of course, have more incursions coming in, and I particularly urge anybody who's been in New South Wales, you must get tested whether you've returned today or yesterday or last week - if you've been in New South Wales I'd really urge you to go and get tested," he said.
"If you are in Victoria, only travel to NSW if you absolutely must and we discourage travel to NSW at this point.
READ MORE: Four new COVID-19 cases in the Northern Territory spark 48-hour lockdown
"For those citizens living in NSW, please only come to Victoria if you have to, and abide by our border rules and get tested when you do."
Mr Weimar said 1500 people have applied for a red border permit.
No additional border restrictions have been announced however orange zones have been declared for regional areas in NSW and the ACT.
Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains are considered red zones meaning people from those areas are not allowed to enter Victoria unless they are approved for a border permit.
