Victorians are being urged not to travel to New South Wales off the back of a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney.
A cluster of 28 COVID-19 cases in Sydney’s Northern Beaches has led to the introduction of a permit system for those travelling from NSW to Victoria.
As reported by 7News, from midnight on Friday no one travelling from the Northern Beaches will be issued a permit to enter Victoria.
Travel permits will be issued using a traffic light system, with all of the Northern Beaches region classified as a ‘red zone’.
Meanwhile, the Greater Sydney area is considered an ‘orange zone’, which means people travelling to Victoria will be encouraged to get tested and self-quarantine until they receive their results.
According to 7News, Regional NSW is classified as a ‘green zone’ and residents will be allowed to enter Victoria with a permit and asked to monitor for any symptoms.
In contrast, Victorians are being advised not to travel to New South Wales at all, with the Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley releasing a statement on Friday.
“Don’t go to Sydney. It won’t be a holiday. It won’t be the Christmas you are planning,” Foley said.
“Conditions are expected to deteriorate and you may not be able to re-enter Victoria without undertaking quarantining for 14 days,” he continued.
“Don’t come from Sydney if you’re planning to come to Melbourne. Don’t go to Sydney if you’re planning to go to Sydney.”
As reported by SBS News, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned residents of greater Sydney to take caution due to the possibility of the Northern Beaches cluster spreading.
“Everybody in greater Sydney needs to be on high alert,” she said. “I know that there are a lot of Christmas parties on at this time, a lot of social gatherings. Please consider what is essential.”
