Other jurisdictions will implement their own travel restrictions on ACT residents, said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who has urged Canberrans not to “flee to the coast” to escape the seven-day lockdown.
He said the South Coast of NSW doesn’t have the health facilities to support an outbreak should COVID-19 make its way there via Canberra.
“Fleeing to the coast is a really bad thing to do, really, really antisocial… I don’t think those local communities there would particularly welcome you,” Mr Barr said.
ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan said ACT Policing was already in contact with their NSW counterparts.
“I really encourage people to look at the directions in place not just for Canberra but also for NSW, noting that we are surrounded by NSW.”
The Deputy Premier of NSW and member for nearby Monaro, John Barilaro, has also warned Canberrans to keep out of regional NSW, tweeting that he’d be “asking [NSW Police] Commissioner [Mick] Fuller to ramp up police resources on the South Coast looking for blue and white number plates”.
As well, ACT Policing will be “vigilant” looking for NSW numberplates in the Territory.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said ACT Policing would be cracking down on people entering Canberra from NSW but has reassured residents of the surrounding NSW region they are “part of our community”.
Residents from surrounding postcodes will be given a “standing exemption” to enter the ACT for essential reasons.
“We need your help to minimise the number the number of people who are out and about and moving in the ACT.
“But we also know that you will need to cross the border sometimes for essential reasons. “
People from the following areas will need to have ID and demonstrate that they’re in the ACT for essential reasons: 2581 – includes Gunning and Collector; 2582 – includes Murrumbateman and Yass; 2584 – includes Binalong; 2611 – includes Uriarra; 2618 – Wallaroo and areas along the ACT’s north western edge; 2619 – includes Jerrabomberra; 2620 – Queanbyean, Googong, Karabar, Sutton, Royalla and Gundaroo; 2621 – includes Bungendore; 2623 – includes Captain’s Flat; and 2626 – includes Bredbo and Michelago.
“You either need to be able demonstrate that you live in one of those surrounding regions and you’re here for an essential purpose and be able to explain that to ACT Policing, or if you’re from outside those regions you will need to have an exemption to hand and to be able to explain your presence to ACT Policing,” said Ms Stephen-Smith.
“We know you’re part of our community; we really need your help to abide by the same rules that Canberrans are abiding by and to absolutely minimise your travel into the ACT.”
