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As the Australian Capital Territory leaves lockdown today and Queensland continues its streak of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, New South Wales has decided to welcome travellers back from the two jurisdictions.
As of 11.59pm last night, restrictions for people entering NSW from the ACT and QLD eased - but rules for travellers from both locations differ.
NSW no longer considers the ACT an area of concern as the territory inches toward hitting the coveted 80 per cent rate of its eligible population fully vaccinated - expected to occur over the weekend.
As such, ACT residents no longer need to complete a declaration form on entry into NSW or follow stay-at-home rules on arrival.
However, NSW will consider travellers from the ACT the same as those living in regional local government areas (LGAs) in the state, meaning Canberrans are not permitted to enter Greater Sydney.
Additionally, due to low rates of community transmission, QLD will no longer be considered an affected area.
As such, QLD residents will no longer need to complete a declaration form on entry into New South Wales.
Unlike those in the ACT, Queenslanders can enter Sydney but once there cannot leave to visit regional areas and are subject to the same COVID-19 restrictions that Sydneysiders are. On the flip side, if Queenslanders travel to regional NSW they cannot then enter Sydney.
The changes come as New South Wales today records 399 new locally acquired cases and fourth deaths from COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Victoria today reported 2,179 locally acquired cases and six deaths from the coronavirus.
Updated at 10.03am AEDT on 15 October 2021.
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