Victoria has recorded a 12th day with no locally acquired cases of COVID-19 after the state’s border with NSW and the ACT was effectively closed overnight.
The health department confirmed there were also no new cases in hotel quarantine on July 12, with the number of active cases in the state down to 19.
Some 19,239 test results were processed in the 24 hours to July 12 morning, while 12,005 Victorians received a vaccine dose at one of the state-run hubs.
It comes as the entirety of NSW and the ACT became red zones under Victoria’s travel permit system from 11.59 p.m. on July 11.
Victoria’s acting chief health officer cited concerns about the risk of coronavirus transmission beyond Sydney and surrounding areas for the decision as NSW reported 77 new local cases on July 11.
The border closure announcement was made just after 4 p.m. on July 11, giving little time for people to return on their existing orange zone permits.
But Victorian authorities had been foreshadowing a blanket NSW red zone declaration for days, encouraging residents to return home urgently.
Victorian residents who missed Sunday’s deadline will still be allowed to enter the state but must isolate at home for 14 days.
In addition, the Victoria-NSW “border bubble” arrangement will remain intact for local residents, though they must continue to travel with proof of address.
Victorian authorities are also asking cross-border residents in both states not to travel outside the bubble at any time.
By Benita Kolovos and Callum Godde
