Most of regional NSW has so far been spared from most border closures as coronavirus exposure sites continue to grow in the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney. Outside of Sydney, only the Central Coast and Wollongong Local Government Areas are affected when it comes to travel to most states.
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Here is where each state and territory stands as at December 21 in regards to travel from regional NSW:
NSW
There is no ban on travel to the Sydney region, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong. However, there is a growing list of exposure sites in Sydney and travel to these areas will affect the ability to travel to other states.
Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast are currently subject to increased restrictions and mask wearing is encouraged. NSW residents must not enter the Northern Beaches local government area unless they have a reasonable excuse. This does not include holidaying in the area, with stay-at-home orders in place there until at least Wednesday.
Victoria
The hard border closure is back with NSW residents needing a permit to travel to Victoria. People who have visited designated 'red' and 'hot' zones around Greater Sydney and the Central Coast are subject to restrictions. Despite being listed as a hot spot by the NSW Government, Wollongong LGA does not appear on the Victorian Government's list of red zones.
Checkpoints along the physical border have been reinstated, however designated 'border zone' residents are able to simply show their license to get through. The border zone includes but is not limited to the local government areas of Greater Hume, Hay, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Snowy Valleys and Wagga Wagga. Permits to enter Victoria are available here. Information on the Victorian health department website suggests transit through airports is allowed however travellers cannot leave the airport and need to wear a mask.
ACT
Those travelling into the ACT who have not recently visited the Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Central Coast region do not need to quarantine and currently do not need to fill out a border pass. Those who have visited those areas are advised not to travel to the ACT and if they do, they must fill out a border pass and quarantine.
Queensland
Those arriving from NSW who have not been in a designated COVID hotspot LGA over the previous 14 days do not need to quarantine but must fill out a border pass. Layovers at Sydney Airport are currently permitted as long as the traveller does not leave the airport. While masks are not mandatory on flights, they are strongly recommended.
South Australia
Regional NSW residents who have not been to a 'High Transmission Zone' around Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong do not need to quarantine, but must fill out a cross-border registration form. Those transiting through Sydney Airport are exempt from quarantine if they are at the airport for no longer than two hours and wearing a face mask for the entirety of the time they are in transit. All NSW arrivals must be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and on days five and 12 of their time in SA, however they do not need to quarantine while awaiting test results unless they have symptoms.
Western Australia
All travel from NSW into WA has been banned, with the exception of 'exempt travellers' considered essential. Exempt travellers can apply for an entry pass here.
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Those who have not been in designated medium to high risk areas in Greater Sydney do not need to quarantine upon entry to Tasmania, but must fill out this form before their arrival. Despite being listed as hot spots by the NSW Government, the Central Coast and Wollongong are not included in the map the Tasmanian Government is using to designate Greater Sydney. Travellers from regional NSW are able to transit through Sydney airport without becoming subject to hotspot restrictions as long as they remain within the confines of the airport.
NT
All people entering the NT are required to fill out a border declaration form. Those who have been in the designated hotspots in and around Greater Sydney are advised not to travel to the NT and will be required to quarantine. Travellers from regional NSW are able to transit through Sydney airport without becoming subject to hotspot restrictions as long as they remain within the confines of the airport.
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