NSW Health have confirmed they will allow road travel back through Mildura from South Australia to the ACT without a mandatory quarantine period, following uncertainty after SA restrictions eased last week.
SA Premier Steven Marshall announced from 8 October that NSW and ACT travellers would be permitted to enter the state via Mildura, provided they didn’t stop in the Victorian town.
However, there was confusion as to whether the same travellers would be permitted back into NSW on their return trip, given the state currently has a hard border with Victoria.
“Minister for Health and Medical Research, Brad Hazzard, signed an exemption to the Public Health Order relating to border control on 9 October,” a NSW Health spokesperson said.
“NSW residents may pass through Mildura on their way home from South Australia without being required to quarantine for 14 days so long as certain conditions are met.”
The NSW Health spokesperson said the only place travellers were permitted in Victoria was on the Sturt Highway or they would be made to isolate for 14 days.
“They must travel by the most direct practicable route from SA to NSW, and enter NSW at George Chaffey Bridge, Sturt Highway, Mildura,” the spokesperson said.
“If they need to leave their vehicle while passing through Victoria, they must wear a mask and remain 1.5m from other people.
“If requested by a police officer, they must provide details of their travel over the past 14 days.”
Travellers are required to obtain an online Essential Traveller number or border pass issued by the South Australian Government.
Canberrans have been permitted to travel to SA by air since 16 September but were expected to drive through the NSW outback town of Broken Hill to avoid Victoria to get to SA, adding around three hours to the trip.
Residents can apply for a cross border travel exemption online.
