SYDNEY: Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales recorded its 11th day of zero local coronavirus cases on Thursday, allowing neighboring Queensland state to lift border restrictions whereas Victoria state also hinted at relaxing travel with Sydney.
Australian states imposed quarantine or hard border restrictions for travelers from New South Wales after an outbreak in Sydney in late December, throwing Christmas vacation plans of thousands of Australians into chaos.
The Sydney clusters have now been curbed, giving different states the confidence to reopen borders. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk mentioned her state would welcome New South Wales residents from Feb 1.
“We know how vital that New South Wales market is, so for these viewers presently in Sydney and you’re in search of an escape, there is no better place than the tropical far north.”
The southeastern state of Victoria, which is hosting the Australia Open tennis grand slam, also hinted at changing border settings with Sydney on Friday. The state recorded its 22nd day of zero native cases.
Victoria introduced a permit system for all travelers which allows for areas to be designated as green, orange, or red according to their risk.
Travelers from a red zone are not permitted into Victoria while those from an orange zone will need to take a coronavirus test within three days of arrival.
“I would hope to have by the end of tomorrow no red zones in New South Wales, a much bigger green zone, however, there may be some remnants of a couple of areas that remain orange,” Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said.
