VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews announced Monday morning that New South Wales border towns would move to a green zone from 6pm on Monday night, under Victoria's travel permit system.
The change means that anyone returning from a NSW border region will have to apply for a permit, but will not have to get tested or quarantine on arrival in Victoria unless they have also visited an orange zone.
But cross-border communities are not likely to notice any difference after the change, with border residents still able to travel between states without a permit if they present a valid form of ID proving their address.
Announcing the changes, Mr Andrews said the easing would benefit tourism in border regions.
"For visitors to those communities, if you travel into New South Wales, you will need a permit to come back, but you will not have to isolate and get a negative test," he said.
Some areas in Greater Sydney have also been downgraded from red to orange zones from tonight, meaning people can travel to Victoria, but must apply for a permit before arriving, and must get tested on arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result.
Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield City, Inner West, Liverpool City, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality in Sydney remain classified as red zones.
NSW border LGAs reclassified as green zones include Albury City, Balranald Shire, Bega Valley Shire, Berrigan Shire, City of Broken Hill, Edward River Council, Federation Council, Greater Hume Shire, Hay Shire, Lockhart Shire, Murray River Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Snowy Valleys Council, City of Wagga Wagga and Wentworth Shire.
