Victoria records ZERO new coronavirus cases as thousands battle to apply for Dan Andrews' draconian border permits to enter the state – or risk being slapped with $5,000 fines
Victoria has gone six days without a local case of coronavirus as thousands of residents trapped interstate battle to apply for Daniel Andrews' border permits.
The state recorded zero infections on Tuesday morning after 18,139 tests were recorded. There are just 38 active Covid-19 infections across Victoria.
Victorian expanded its 'traffic light' scheme to the whole of Australia on Monday, designating regions as green, orange or red zones based on their coronavirus risk.
Regional NSW is classified orange and Greater Sydney and Greater Brisbane are still red no-go zones.
Victoria has gone six days without a locally-acquired case of coronavirus as thousands of residents trapped interstate battle to apply for Premier Daniel Andrews' border permits. Pictured: Police check vehicles on January 1
The latest data comes as the Victorian government expanded its 'traffic light' scheme to the whole of Australia on Monday, designating regions as green, orange or red zones based on their coronavirus risk profile
But the Victorian Government website crashed just minutes after the new measure came into place due to a technical glitch.
The permit system wasn't available on the Services Victoria website until about 8.55pm - despite the border changes coming into effect at 6pm.
'Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience,' the health department tweeted after the page went live.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton also took to social media to deny reports the nearly three-hour delay stemmed from the new public health directions not being signed on time.
Service Victoria said its staff and DHHS worked as quickly as possible to get the permit system up and running as they draft directions but 'experienced some technical issues'.
Apart from Victorian-NSW border community residents, anyone arriving in Victoria from 6pm without a permit faced a $4957 fine.
The permit system wasn't available on the Services Victoria website until about 8.55pm - despite the border changes coming into effect at 6pm. 'Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience,' the health department tweeted after the page went live
Mr Andrews said the permit system will remain in place for as long as the state of emergency lasts, with Victorians embarking on interstate travel told to be aware their plans could change
The new system allows Victorians stranded in regional NSW to return, but the state still remains off-limits for those in Sydney and Brisbane.
Travellers from regional NSW in hotel quarantine are now only permitted to leave quarantine if they have tested negative.
More than 4,000 exemption applications have been lodged by Victorians after the sudden border closure to NSW on New Year's Day.
Those still in the area who haven't been in a red zone over the last 14 days will now only need a permit, and must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result if granted one.
Mr Andrews said the permit system will remain in place for as long as the state of emergency lasts, with Victorians embarking on interstate travel told to be aware their plans may have to change last minute.
Passengers arriving from Sydney are tested for COVID-19 at Melbourne Airport on December 20
More than 4000 exemption applications have been lodged by Victorians after the sudden border closure to NSW on New Year's Day. Pictured: Travellers make a quick dash out of Sydney on December 18 following the Northern Beaches coronavirus outbreak