NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has responded to reports that her West Australian counterpart is considering an ongoing hard border.
Ms Berejiklian was asked at the state's daily COVID-19 press conference what she thought of Mark McGowan's perceived warning that if NSW doesn't "crush and kill" the virus, ongoing restrictions could be implemented.
"At least he is consistent," she said.
READ MORE: Sydney's coronavirus numbers 'too high'
There were 38 new local coronavirus cases in NSW today after Greater Sydney's lockdown was extended for one week.
In a statement to 9News, Mr McGowan said his "thoughts are with the people of NSW" but warned the state to get on top of the outbreak.
"Our latest outbreak came about because a Western Australian was infected in Sydney and returned home to Perth," he said.
"Until we have high levels of vaccination we should not support a model whereby the virus is permanently allowed to spread. Such an approach would require ongoing rules and restrictions directed toward any state that allowed that to happen.
"NSW needs to do what Victoria did last year and crush and kill the virus.
"Any alternative approach which allows the virus to spread would imperil the whole country before such time as we have achieved mass vaccination."
