Coronavirus update: Parts of Sydney downgraded to orange zone.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced today a number of Greater Sydney red zone Local Government Areas (LGAs) will transition to orange – allowing some stranded Victorians to return home.

As of 6:00pm (Victorian AEDT) Monday 18 January, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and all Greater Sydney LGAs except for Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield City, Inner West, Liverpool City, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality will be declared an orange zone.

“We know this has been a difficult time for Victorians who have been staying in Sydney and want return home. We’ll continue to review remaining red zones every day and will downgrade them as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said Andrews.

Travel from an orange zone requires people to self-isolate, get tested within 72 hours of arrival and remain in quarantine until they receive a negative result.

Travellers must also confirm they have not been in any of the remaining 10 red zone LGAs in Greater Sydney within the past 14 days (other than for transit), have not been in close contact with a coronavirus case and do not have any coronavirus symptoms.

10 LGAs still a red zone

Anyone who has been in the LGAs of Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield City, Inner West, Liverpool City, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality in the last 14 days (other than for transit), is still not permitted to travel to Victoria without an exemption, exception or essential worker permit.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he’s been examining the data from Sydney closely before making the decision to relax border restrictions.

“I’m pleased to be able to downgrade a number of areas of Greater Sydney. I’m asking everyone returning from an orange zone to please get tested within that 72-hour timeframe after they arrive home, and isolate until they have their result.”

NSW border towns move to green

To make movement between states simpler for those living in border towns these locations will now move to green zones 6:00pm tonight.

This includes Albury City, Balranald Shire, Bega Valley Shire, Berrigan Shire, City of Broken Hill, Edward River Council, Federation Council, Greater Hume Shire, Hay Shire, Lockhart Shire, Murray River Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Snowy Valleys Council, City of Wagga Wagga and Wentworth Shire.

Cross-border communities do not need to apply for a travel permit, as long as they carry a valid form of ID with their address – like a driver licence – and have not been in a current orange or red zone area in the last 14 days.

Anyone living in a cross-border community who has been in an orange zone in the last 14 days (other than for transit) – such as the Greater Sydney area, must apply for an Orange Zone Permit and agree to the conditions including the requirement to get tested within 72 hours of arrival and remain in self-quarantine until they receive a negative result.

Anyone living in a cross-border community who has been in one of the 10 LGAs currently in the red zone in the last 14 days cannot travel to Victoria without an exemption, exception or essential worker permit.

The premier praised the state’s residents for continuing to keep up high testing rates and urged them to keep up their efforts.

“Victorians have been incredible in getting tested and the Government continues to urge everyone if you have any symptoms at all – please get tested and stay home until you get your result.”

People can apply for an Orange Zone Permit via the Service Victoria website at service.vic.gov.au.

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