Source: 9news
Victoria has recorded zero local cases of COVID-19 as hundreds of police patrol the Victoria-NSW border to stop people from entering the state unlawfully.
There are 260 police officers manning six zones across the border in an attempt to keep Sydneysiders out as coronavirus cases spiral in the state.
Number plate recognition technology is being used, as well as random booze bus-style operations and the Police Airwing which is monitoring motorists from the sky.
The operation spans from east to west, with the police blitz occurring in the regional towns of Swan Hill, Echuca, Yarrawonga, Wodonga and Cann River.
Anyone who enters the state unlawfully will be hit with a $4957 fine, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said, warning the window of discretion was “rapidly closing”.
“Our message is very clear – over the last few days, we’ve seen a degree of discretion provided in terms of warning, turning people around,” he said.
“That discretion, that window period, is very rapidly closing.”From here on in, you’re going to see a much stricter enforcement.”
A large section of NSW remains a red zone, meaning only Victorian residents are permitted to return to the state if they undertake quarantine.
The state’s strong border stance comes as a fully vaccinated woman has been told she will need to fork out $7500 for a charter flight to travel from Sydney to Melbourne.
Anna Coffey, 32, rushed home from New York when she received the devastating news her father in Melbourne had suffered a serious stroke and did not have long to live.
She jumped on the first available flight which landed in Sydney.
But she was told by authorities that, because of quarantine rules, she could not drive to Melbourne – despite being fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and testing negative to COVID-19 three times in the past week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison wrote to Ms Coffey after hearing of her plight, saying he was “deeply sorry” and hopes a solution can be found.
Mr Morrison is putting pressure on the Australian Health Principal Protection Committee to develop solutions for compassionate cases in quarantine.
