Australia – The border between Australia’s two most populous states, Victoria and New South Wales (NSW), is to close after a spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne.
The outbreak in Victoria’s capital has seen hundreds of cases in the past two weeks, that’s over 95% of new Australian infections.
The two have been able to maintain open borders even when others had shut down, until now.
The closure, which starts on Wednesday,, will restrict travel to permit holders.
Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews said it was a joint decision with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NWS Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“This is one of those precautionary measures – it is one of those things that I think will help us in broader terms contain the spread of the virus,” said Andrews on Monday.
He did not give an indication as to when the borders might re-open. Flying between Sydney and Melbourne – the state capitals – is usually among the world’s busiest routes.
The three leaders had previously said the border closures were not necessary, but the surge in locally spread cases has caused alarm.
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