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| Coronavirus: Australia to close Victoria-New South Wales border | Coronavirus: Australia to close Victoria-New South Wales border |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The border between Australia's two most populous states, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), is to close after a spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne. | The border between Australia's two most populous states, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), is to close after a spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne. |
| The outbreak in Victoria's capital has seen hundreds of cases in the past two weeks - more than 95% of new Australian infections. | The outbreak in Victoria's capital has seen hundreds of cases in the past two weeks - more than 95% of new Australian infections. |
| Until now, the two states had maintained open borders even when others had shut them. | Until now, the two states had maintained open borders even when others had shut them. |
| The closure, beginning on Wednesday, will restrict travel to permit holders. | The closure, beginning on Wednesday, will restrict travel to permit holders. |
| Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said it was a joint decision with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. | Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said it was a joint decision with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. |
| "This is one of those precautionary measures - it is one of those things that I think will help us in broader terms contain the spread of the virus," Mr Andrews told reporters on Monday. | "This is one of those precautionary measures - it is one of those things that I think will help us in broader terms contain the spread of the virus," Mr Andrews told reporters on Monday. |
| He gave no indication of when the border might re-open. Flying between Sydney and Melbourne - the state capitals - is ordinarily among the world's busiest routes. | He gave no indication of when the border might re-open. Flying between Sydney and Melbourne - the state capitals - is ordinarily among the world's busiest routes. |
| What's caused this? | What's caused this? |
| The three leaders had previously said border closures weren't necessary, but the surge in locally spread cases has caused alarm. | The three leaders had previously said border closures weren't necessary, but the surge in locally spread cases has caused alarm. |
| Previously, most cases had involved returning overseas travellers in quarantine - now over 80% are coming from within the community. | Previously, most cases had involved returning overseas travellers in quarantine - now over 80% are coming from within the community. |
| "This is unprecedented in Australia. We have not seen anything like this," said Ms Berejiklian. | "This is unprecedented in Australia. We have not seen anything like this," said Ms Berejiklian. |
| Victoria has traced many recent infections to quarantine hotels where security guards reportedly broke the rules by interacting with guests and each other. | Victoria has traced many recent infections to quarantine hotels where security guards reportedly broke the rules by interacting with guests and each other. |
| In early June, when no cases were reported on two days, state officials had hoped they were nearing having the virus contained. | In early June, when no cases were reported on two days, state officials had hoped they were nearing having the virus contained. |
| But Victoria recorded 127 new infections on Monday - its highest daily increase since the pandemic began. | But Victoria recorded 127 new infections on Monday - its highest daily increase since the pandemic began. |
| What does the border closure mean? | What does the border closure mean? |
| Mr Andrews said those who had "unavoidable travel" could apply for permits to cross the border, including for work. | Mr Andrews said those who had "unavoidable travel" could apply for permits to cross the border, including for work. |
| NSW authorities will be in charge of guarding border crossings, and flights will be cancelled. | NSW authorities will be in charge of guarding border crossings, and flights will be cancelled. |
| Mr Andrews acknowledged the decision would be difficult for many people but said it was necessary given "the significant challenges we face in containing this virus". | Mr Andrews acknowledged the decision would be difficult for many people but said it was necessary given "the significant challenges we face in containing this virus". |
| It's the first time in a century that the border between New South Wales and Victoria is being closed. | It's the first time in a century that the border between New South Wales and Victoria is being closed. |
| The closure shows the level of anxiety and concern among leaders and health authorities about Covid-19 spreading beyond Victoria's borders and into NSW, the most populous state. | The closure shows the level of anxiety and concern among leaders and health authorities about Covid-19 spreading beyond Victoria's borders and into NSW, the most populous state. |
| Both Ms Berejiklian and Mr Morrison have previously played down the possibility of such a closure, but Victoria now finds itself in a very critical situation. | Both Ms Berejiklian and Mr Morrison have previously played down the possibility of such a closure, but Victoria now finds itself in a very critical situation. |
| There'll be the inevitable economic and social impacts of course but the logistics of closing are also a big challenge. There are about 50 border crossings between the two states with some towns sharing the border. | There'll be the inevitable economic and social impacts of course but the logistics of closing are also a big challenge. There are about 50 border crossings between the two states with some towns sharing the border. |
| Those who cross over regularly have been told they'll be able to get permits but can be sure to expect delays. | Those who cross over regularly have been told they'll be able to get permits but can be sure to expect delays. |
| With school holidays starting here, many families who have been looking forward to finally having a vacation away will now have to cancel their trips. | With school holidays starting here, many families who have been looking forward to finally having a vacation away will now have to cancel their trips. |
| How else is Australia responding? | How else is Australia responding? |
| The outbreak is threatening Australia's relative success so far in suppressing the virus. | The outbreak is threatening Australia's relative success so far in suppressing the virus. |
| The military and other states are helping Victorian authorities carry out a testing blitz. At least 20,000 people are being tested per day. | The military and other states are helping Victorian authorities carry out a testing blitz. At least 20,000 people are being tested per day. |
| On Saturday, Victoria enacted a "hard lockdown" on nine housing estate tower blocks in Melbourne - confining 3,000 people to their homes - after a cluster of cases were found. | |
| Many residents have expressed anger over the sudden implementation of the lockdown. Critics say the policy - which involves police patrols inside the building - targets a racially diverse and already marginalised community. | |
| Residents in at least 36 "hotspot" suburbs were put into a separate lockdown last week. Unlike those in the tower blocks, they can leave home for work, exercise, care and grocery shopping. | Residents in at least 36 "hotspot" suburbs were put into a separate lockdown last week. Unlike those in the tower blocks, they can leave home for work, exercise, care and grocery shopping. |
| The virus has been dramatically slowed in other states, which are largely now free of lockdown measures. | The virus has been dramatically slowed in other states, which are largely now free of lockdown measures. |
| Australia had aimed to be completely out of lockdown by the end of July - but there are now calls for this national goal to be delayed. | Australia had aimed to be completely out of lockdown by the end of July - but there are now calls for this national goal to be delayed. |
| Despite the latest spike, case numbers remain low compared to many nations. Since January, Australia has recorded 106 deaths and around 8,500 cases. | Despite the latest spike, case numbers remain low compared to many nations. Since January, Australia has recorded 106 deaths and around 8,500 cases. |