The Victorian Government announced on December 31 the border would close on New Year’s Eve to non-residents and to any Victorians who had visited hotspots, such as Wollongong, Sydney, and the Blue Mountains.
Victorians had another 24 hours to return home, but would be required to isolate and get tested, with a hard border in place from January 2, with no-one crossing without an exemption.
Among them was former Shepparton resident Lauren Hajro, who had only spent a matter of hours in Mathoura on Thursday before making a dash for the border.
Although her wait was short, she said her group of girls was lucky to receive the messages as they were in an area with poor phone reception and internet service.
“We drove about three-and-a-half hours to Mathoura then were at our campsite for three hours tops before we had to drive back,” Ms Hajro said.
“As were we packing everything back up, we still didn't really know what was going on.
“After we left Mathoura we heard that the Echuca-Moama border crossing was really busy, so we turned instead for Barmah.
“The wait was about two hours before we eventually crossed at about 7.30 pm.
“It's certainly a New Year's Eve I'll never forget.”
The final upper-hook delivered by 2020 to border town businesses and tourism operators was felt particularly hard in Moama.
Echuca Moama Accommodation Association co-president Paul Lavars said people were fearful of what the future may hold for their businesses.
“The majority of us have gone from 100 per cent capacity into the next four weeks to one per cent in the space of just a few days,” Mr Lavars said.
“January is the biggest month for business in Moama and it (the vacancies) could possibly flow into February with no events, including the Southern 80.
“It was a little bit different in July because some operators were only about 30 per cent full.
“Then when you look across in Echuca and all the accommodation is 100 per cent full.
“It makes it hard to comprehend.”
Victoria recorded three new coronavirus cases on January 3, all linked to the Black Rock Smile Buffalo Café in Melbourne.
All returning travellers were required to test and isolate, but delays at testing sites across the state have meant many Victorians have been unable to get tested.
More than 22,000 tests were conducted on January 2, but capacity is expected to increase in coming days as health workers return from leave.
Victorian COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said he expected most people who had returned from NSW would get into testing sites during coming days as capacity ramped up closer to 30,000 tests per day.
He said 1500 people had applied for permits to cross the border, which would be sorted in order of priority.
Queues at some border crossings stretched tens of kilometres on New Year’s Eve, and Mr Weimar apologised to travellers forced to cut short holidays and believed they would “do the right thing” and get tested.
“We saw 60,000 people do the right thing (and come home) when we saw the increased risk of exposure,” Mr Weimar said.
“I think 60,000 people made the right decision to cut their holidays short.
“I’m confident people will follow the restrictions because they don’t want to put themselves at risk and their community at risk.”
NSW recorded eight new locally transmitted cases on Sunday.
READ ALSO:
Usually ‘a feeder’ of fish, Morrie catches a $2000 cod
Haisman Report card: How your team’s fared so far this season
Tatura man tried to burn spray cans ‘for fun’ on fire danger day
13°C