Victorians are facing lengthy queues to cross the NSW border into their home state, as a COVID-19 quarantine deadline looms.
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In the state's west at Genoa, one motorist on Friday reported a wait of almost six hours as a line of hundreds of cars snaked through a checkpoint.
Authorities on Friday reported no new diagnoses of coronavirus for Victoria in past 24 hours, after the emergence of eight locally-acquired cases over the past two days.
Growing coronavirus case numbers in NSW on Thursday prompted Victorian authorities to impose a hard border from midnight Friday. Anyone arriving after that time must spend a fortnight in quarantine.
The news sparked an urgent dash for the border by many Victorians holidaying outside the state.
Anyone crossing back on Friday needs to have a border permit and must isolate at home for 14 days.
Those still making their way home have until 11.59pm Friday to cross before being forced into hotel quarantine as the state scrambles to avoid a third wave of the deadly virus.
Eight locally acquired cases of coronavirus were detected in 24 hours to Thursday afternoon, but Victoria is equipped to handle new clusters, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
The cases, which first emerged on Wednesday night, ended a 60-day streak without infections for Victoria.
All are directly or indirectly linked to the Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant in Black Rock on December 21, which was attended by a NSW returned traveller.
That traveller returned before border permits were in place and was being tested on Thursday.
It was also revealed on Friday that wastewater samples taken from Lakes Entrance on December 29 recorded traces of the virus, prompting calls or anyone in that area with symptoms to get tested.
The unexpected result means there will be an increase in samples taken from the Lakes Entrance area.
"We always knew there would be cases and clusters," Mr Andrews, currently on leave, posted on Facebook on Thursday.
"We have plans and systems in place to deal with precisely this scenario - and those are already well underway.
"I know this will be tough to take. Victorians have been through a lot this year and sacrificed so much.
"But we will get through it - together."
Victoria's testing chief Jeroen Weimar said early information indicated a potential exposure window between December 17 and 19.
Anyone who arrives back in Victoria from anywhere in NSW on Friday has to be tested and go into isolation for 14 days.
After that, returning Victorians will go into hotel quarantine.
Acting premier Jacinta Allan apologised for the border closure but said Victorians who are in NSW should not be surprised.
"We have been sending a very strong message for the better part of a week-and-a-half ... advising people to think very carefully about their travel to NSW," Ms Allan said on Thursday.
"These difficult decisions are about protecting the community."
Masks are also mandatory indoors and the number of visitors allowed in Victorian homes is down to 15 from 30, she said.
Victorians can continue to return from Canberra with a permit, while more details will be announced for border communities and people who are travelling through NSW to return to Victoria.
Australian Associated Press
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