The COVID-19 advice Gladys Berejiklian IGNORED: Premier was told it was safe to reopen the NSW-Victoria border THREE WEEKS ago - but will keep it shut until November 23
Gladys Berejiklian will keep the state borders closed for another 18 days, despite being told by health officials three weeks ago they were safe to reopen.
New South Wales will finally reopen its borders with Victoria on November 23, four months after they were slammed shut due to the southern state's horror second wave of coronavirus.
Health officials have since revealed the NSW government was told in early October regional Victoria had reached sufficient standards of contact tracing and daily testing rates to reopen the border.
The health advice was provided to but 'ignored' Ms Berejiklian and senior members of her COVID-19 crisis committee at a meeting during the State Emergency Operation Centre, The Australian reported.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was told in early October that the state's border with Victoria was safe to reopen. She won't reopen the borders until later in November
'The advice was that they were happy with their (Victoria's) improvements in regional testing rates and contact tracing,' an official told the publication.
The borders will remain shut for another 18 days, despite Victoria recording its five consecutive day of zero new cases.
NSW recorded nine cases on Wednesday, three of which were locally-acquired, while Victoria hasn't recorded a case for five days.
An outspoken critic of Queensland's strict border closure, Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly said the Victoria border would not remain in place 'a day longer' than needed.
'We are very keen to see what happens in Victoria once further restrictions are eased, because that's the real test,' Ms Berejiklian said on October 19, a week after she was advised it was safe to reopen the border.
The NSW/Victoria border (pictured at Albury ) will finally reopen on November 23
Ms Berejiklian announced the reopening of the state's borders in a tweet on Wednesday morning.
'We need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe,' she posted.
She later told reporters: 'Very proudly I say NSW will be the only jurisdiction in Australia that will be welcoming residents of all states, of all jurisdictions.'
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said November 23 was chosen as the date is two weeks after the border between Melbourne and regional Victoria reopens next Monday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on Wednesday) says her state will be the only jurisdiction in Australia that will welcome residents of all states come November 23
Victoria recorded its fifth straight day of zero transmissions and no deaths on Wednesday. Pictured are sunbakers socially distancing St Kilda Beach in Melbourne
Melburnians will be able to travel more than 25km from their homes under eased restrictions which come into effect next week.
'This will be good riddance to a border that Covid-19 forced on us,' Mr Hazzard said.
'Victorian and NSW residents' efforts have ensured families and friends will be back together and businesses will operate freely but in a COVID-safe way.'
More restrictions in Victoria could be eased by Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday.
There are currently 30 active cases across Victoria.
The 14-day rolling average for Melbourne has dropped to 1.7, while regional Victoria's average has returned to zero.
The NSW/Victorian border has been closed since July 8. Pictured are police patrolling the border at Albury
'I'll make Sunday's announcements on Sunday. It'll all be based on data tomorrow, the day after, you know, we've always done this, we've always looked at the most contemporary picture,' Mr Andrews said on Wednesday.
'I just ask all Victorians: we've all built this together, we've made great sacrifices, it's fragile, it's precious, and if we don't all value it and play our part — wearing a mask, keeping our distance as much as we possibly can, following the rules as they relate to you — then this won't last.'
What are the border restrictions?
New South Wales: Will open to VIC on 23 November
Victoria: No restrictions
Queensland: Exemption required if coming from Greater Sydney and VIC.
South Australia: Exemption required if coming from VIC
Tasmania: Exemption required if coming from VIC
Western Australia: From November 14 travellers from anywhere allowed by residents from NSW and VIC must self-isolate at home for two weeks
ACT: Exemption required if coming from VIC
Northern Territory: Victorians must quarantine at their own expense
Australia: Only people who have been in New Zealand for 14 days can enter without hotel quarantine
The announcement of the reopening of the NSW/Victorian border comes a day after Queensland reopened to residents from regional NSW
NSW residents who have been in Greater Sydney in the past 14 days are still banned.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan announced a plan last Friday, recommended by his health experts, to adopt a 'controlled border regime' on November 14.
Travellers from areas with no local coronavirus cases for 28 days - which currently include everywhere except NSW and Victoria - will be allowed to enter the state without quarantine.
They will have to fill out a G2G border pass and take a temperature check at Perth Airport or a land border checkpoint and may be asked to take a coronavirus test.
Passengers from places that have a 14-day rolling average of less than five cases per day - which includes NSW and Victoria - will be allowed to enter but must quarantine at a 'suitable premise' for two weeks.
They must also take a test on day 11 of their quarantine.
Tasmania has opened its borders to most states and territories, including South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory on October 26.
South Australia's borders are open to all states but an exemption is needed if people travel through Victoria.
The Northern Territory is open to all except Victoria.
The NSW/Victorian border remains shut, despite criticism of Queensland's border closures