With COVID-19 case numbers coming down and already high vaccination rates continuing to rise in both states, NSW and Victoria are normalising living with the virus.
As of 11.59pm on November 4, the ACT and all remaining orange zone areas in NSW became green zones under Victoria’s travel permit system.
For the first time in more than six months in Victoria, all local government areas in all states and territories across Australia are green zones for the purposes of entering Victoria.
Travellers, including workers, who are entering Victoria from a green zone face no testing or quarantine requirements, but are still required to obtain a permit from Service Victoria before they arrive, to verify they aren’t COVID-19 positive or required to isolate as a close contact.
There are no requirements for fully vaccinated Victorians entering NSW, unless they have been to a place of high concern in Victoria.
But a Victorian who is over 16 years of age and not fully vaccinated is not allowed to enter NSW for recreation or a holiday. More information is available at nsw.gov.au
It came as 93.8 per cent of people in NSW aged 16 and over had received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 89.1 per cent had received both doses.
In Victoria 92.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 82.5 per cent had two doses.
People entering Victoria must still comply with any vaccinated economy requirements in place and can apply for a travel permit at service.vic.gov.au
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the announcement showed the rest of the nation the way forward.
“NSW is set to pass 90 per cent double dose vaccination in the near future, with Victoria not far behind, allowing family and friends to be reunited in the lead-up to Christmas after many months of being separated,” he said.
“This milestone has only been made possible because people across NSW and Victoria have rolled up their sleeves and led the nation on the road back to normality thanks to our high vaccination rates.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews thanked people on both sides of the border for getting the jab.
“Thanks to the incredibly hard work of Victorians and people in NSW in getting vaccinated, we’re delighted to be able to have free travel between the two states once again,” he said.
“Victoria and NSW have been through so much over the last few months, and we’re pleased that more families will now be able to reunite just in time for Christmas and the holiday season.”
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