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Victoria Police have upheld their decision to allow NSW travelers to return to Victoria without verifying permits as a way to reduce other risks on the roads.
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Victoria had no new community cases, while New South Wales had three. Source: 1 NEWS
Border crossings were bombarded with a large volume of traffic after the state government announced changes to border rules yesterday.
Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said at 8pm (10pm NZT) officers were concerned about lateness and delay with traffic in one lane and people waiting four hours or more to be cleared for the border.
Victoria’s health controller approved the opening of additional lanes and allowing Victorian registered cars and cars with caravans and boats to pass through the checkpoint without showing permits.
Nugent said it was a risk, but mitigated by what they had learned from verifying permissions.
“When it’s really clear that it’s a tourist, Victorian dishes, a whole family, the risk is really low,” Nugent said.
“The concern was about the stagnant people and the anxiety, stress and well-being of the people there; those delays would have been significantly longer if we hadn’t done that.”
Delays at checkpoints today were reduced to 15 minutes, he said.
Police at checkpoints had also stepped up to help manage delays, with night shift workers starting tasks earlier and afternoon shift workers staying late to help pass more cars.
Travelers have until 11.59pm today (1.59am tomorrow NZT) to cross the border before the strict restrictions go into effect, meaning that people will be turned away or forced to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at office.
Nugent said a police car would reach the end of all border lines at midnight. Anyone already in line will be deemed to have entered Victoria before the deadline.
