Australian borders tightened

MELBOURNE: Holiday travel plans across Australia continue to be thwarted as states and territories tighten their borders to prevent coronavirus seeping in from NSW and Victoria.

The ACT has shut out nonresidents who have been in NSW’s northern beaches, greater Sydney, Wollongong and parts of the central coast unless they have an exemption. Those found entering without permission could be fined up to $8000.

Tasmania has barred anyone directly linked to the latest Victorian virus cases, listing exposure sites where confirmed cases have been. That followed Tasmania’s declaration of greater Sydney and the Wollongong area as mediumrisk zones, requiring travellers to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, while those from Sydney’s northern beaches are barred from entering.

Western Australia reimposed a hard border with NSW on December 19 and then with Victoria on Thursday. Victoria closed its border with NSW on Friday.

The Northern Territory has barred entry for all greater Sydney residents.

South Australia has reestablished its hard border with NSW, along with a 100km buffer for border communities.

Queensland’s border is closed to anyone who has been in the Covid hot spots of greater Sydney and surrounding areas in the past 14 days.