More than 60,000 Victorians rushed back across the border in the next 24 hours, with some travelling from as far as northern NSW to ensure they could re-enter the state.
The return to the border bubble was announced on December 31.
Is the border bubble active?
Yes, the border bubble that was in place before the Victoria-NSW border re-opened in December is back in place, meaning border residents only need their driver’s licence to cross the Murray River as long as they have remained in the border bubble.
This means residents in the Alpine, Benalla, Bendigo, Buloke, Campaspe, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Indigo, Loddon, Mildura, Moira, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Towong, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Yarriambiack municipalities don’t require permits to cross into NSW and, assuming they don't leave the border bubble, won't need permits to re-enter Victoria.
In NSW, residents from Albury City, Balranald, Bega Valley, Berrigan, Broken Hill, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Hay, Lockhart, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Wagga Wagga can also cross.
Who can cross the border?
Travelling from NSW to Victoria has been banned except for those with permits or border residents. Permits are only for essential workers such as freight drivers, while a new permit was introduced for agricultural workers on January 4.
All permits for green zones handed out before New Year's Eve are now void. Transit permits for those in the ACT or Queensland will need to be reapplied for. People in transit at Sydney airport who do not leave the terminal are not required to isolate.
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