Victoria fully reopens border with NSW, allowing free travel for all

Border restrictions in Victoria and New South Wales have eased overnight, allowing free movement between the two states ahead of Christmas.

Victoria's Acting Chief Health Officer yesterday declared that from 11.59pm last night all remaining orange zones in NSW and the ACT would become green zones, permitting unrestricted travel into the state.

Travellers will still be required to obtain a green zone permit, but they will not need to get tested or quarantine upon arrival.

The relaxing of border measures means for the first time in more than six months, all regions in Australia will be classed as green zones under Victoria's permit travel system.

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NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews both thanked residents for making the change possible by getting vaccinated.

"Thanks to the incredibly hard work of Victorians and people in New South Wales in getting vaccinated, we're delighted to be able to have free travel between the two states once again," Mr Andrews said.

"Victoria and New South Wales have been through so much over the last few months, and we're pleased that more families will now be able to reunite just in time for Christmas and the holiday season."

Mr Perrottet said the shift showed the rest of the country the way forward.

"NSW is set to pass 90 per cent double dose vaccination in the near future, with Victoria not far behind, allowing family and friends to be reunited in the lead up to Christmas after many months of being separated," Mr Perrottet said.

According to the premiers, 93.8 per cent of people in New South Wales aged 16 and over have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 89.1 per cent have received both doses, with corresponding figures of 92.7 per cent and 82.5 per cent in Victoria.

It's the second major easing of Victorian border restrictions in a fortnight, after the state scrapped "red zones" last month.

What are the restrictions in travelling to NSW from Victoria?

There are no restrictions for fully vaccinated Victorians entering NSW, except if they have been to a location of high concern in Victoria.

Unvaccinated Victorians aged over 16 years are also not permitted to enter NSW for recreation or a holiday.