Victoria is closing its border to SA for 48 hours, from midnight tonight, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in SA.
Under the temporary hard border closure, only freight drivers, and those with medical or emergency reasons, urgent animal welfare or as authorised by law will be able to pass through the border.
From 11:59pm on Saturday November 21, a permit system for entry into Vic from SA, will come into effect.
Details of the permit scheme are yet to be finalisd, but from Saturday night, reasons to enter Victoria from South Australia from Saturday night will include:
- for agricultural work
- if you are an emergency services worker or a worker providing essential services
- to receive medical care (including seeking coronavirus testing), obtain medical supplies or compassionate reasons
- to shop to obtain essential supplies
Checkpoints will be established on main roads between SA and Victoria.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews stressed the border closure was only temporary.
"We know border communities have had an incredibly difficult year - and we don't take these decisions lightly," he said.
"Our public health team will work closely with SA to monitor the outbreak and get the border back open as soon as it's safe to do so."
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