ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has slammed border restrictions imposed on the Territory and has requested all jurisdictions remove their restrictions on the ACT “as soon as possible”.
Mr Barr said on Twitter it is “incredibly disappointing and frustrating that state borders are again being shut to Canberrans”.
The ACT has no active cases of COVID-19, and over the weekend reached the milestone of one year since the virus was transmitted locally in the community.
“Canberra is not part of Greater Sydney.”
It comes as Victoria slammed its borders shut to NSW and the ACT yesterday. Western Australia and South Australia had already imposed border restrictions with the national capital, with other states expected to tighten restrictions as the NSW outbreak worsens.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today the Sunshine State would not be imposing harsher border restrictions with NSW and the ACT at this time, but urged Queenslanders who are in NSW to come home if possible.
“Even if you are in regional parts of NSW, we are monitoring that very closely, and things can change,” she said.
“Think seriously, long and hard about what you’re doing and if you can, come home.”
“We understand that winter is a higher risk period for Covid transmission and states that have experienced extended lockdowns themselves will have low risk appetites for interstate travellers,” said Mr Barr.
However, he said there is “very little justification” for the ACT to be considered a COVID-19-affected jurisdiction requiring the highest level of travel restrictions.
Last week, Canberra Airport head Stephen Byron expressed his frustration with Western Australia and South Australia for closing their borders to the ACT, saying it was “hard to take”.
“Borders should be assured to stay open where there are zero cases. I don’t think it’s that big an ask.”
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