COVID-19 travel restrictions ramp up
The latest on lockdowns and border restrictions during Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictionsThe COVID-19 coronavirus is changing the way people travel and use their cars and caraavns Down Under.
As Melbourne currently adjusts to Stage 4 restrictions including a strict curfew, Queensland is re-shutting its border with New South Wales, while other states are also changing border rules.
Road users in general are faced with new regulations that restrict travel and in some cases effectively stop it altogether.
We’ve gathered up-to-date info from the various sources, but these guidelines shouldn't be treated as legal advice and if you need clarification, check the latest information at the respective state government information sources.
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
West Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory
Tasmania
There are also several government websites dedicated to updating the latest COVID-19 restrictions including the nationwide Health Direct portal.
Where can I drive?
In most states and territories you can drive anywhere, at least within your state, but Victoria has clamped down hard on when and where you can drive in metro Melbourne.
Until September 13, metropolitan Melbourne residents must stay at home and “can no longer leave home to go for a drive”.according to government directives.
Residents are only allowed to drive up to 5km from their home but only for one of four reasons: work/study (with a permit), medical care, caregiving or food/necessary supplies.
Refueling is deemed a necessary good or service and is allowed.
Outside of Melbourne Stage 3 restrictions apply, which means "you can go for a drive but you should not leave your vehicle except for these reasons: shopping for necessary goods or services, care, caregiving or compassionate reasons, and work or study.”
Victorians can drive to visit intimate partners without any distance restrictions, however, they must comply with curfew requirements (see below). The same rules apply to shared custody arrangements.
No driving is allowed in metropolitan Melbourne between the curfew hours (8:00pm to 5:00am) unless there is an emergency, and you are permitted for work or if there is an essential health, care or safety reason.
Melbourne metro residents can drive to collect takeaway food if it’s within a 5km radius of their home.
Residents do not have to wear masks/face coverings while driving unless you have a passenger from outside of your household or are driving for work, such as a delivery driver.
Melbourne residents are also allowed to drive a partner to work (ie: further than 5km from home), if the partner has an essential worker permit and is unable to drive themselves. The driver should go directly to the place of work and home again without any other stops.
Drivers are encouraged to have a copy of their partner's essential worker permit as proof of their bona-fides.
What borders are currently closed?
A number of states and territories have closed their land borders to non-essential travel due to COVID-19 but those who want or need to drive interstate can do so in some cases.
There are also some exemptions for cross-border travel in most states, while essential services such as freight vehicles are allowed in most cases.
New South Wales' borders are partially open; in that NSW has temporarily closed its border with Victoria.
The Queensland border with New South Wales is also temporarily shut meaning only those with a permit can travel north from NSW to Qld.
The NSW-SA border remains open although entrants will have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Victoria's borders are partially open, in so far that Victoria is a no-go zone for all other states. Both NSW and SA have shut their borders with Victoria, except for essential services and those with a permit/exemption. However, no permit is required to enter Victoria from another state.
Queensland's borders are partially open. Queensland will shut its busy border with NSW at 1:00am, August 8. Exemptions are few and far between, with residents of border communities and essential workers, such as truck drivers, able to cross the border.
The Queensland government said the exemptions will be ‘limited’ and the border closure would be reviewed at the end of the month.
The South Australian border remains open to all states except Victoria. However, a pre-approval process exists for travellers wishing to enter South Australia. The state deems NT, QLD, TAS and WA as ‘unrestricted’ states while ACT and NSW as ‘permissible states’.
West Australia has closed its borders to all other states and territories. The government website reads: “You cannot enter WA unless you are an exempt traveller.”
The ACT border with surrounding NSW is open, while the borders of Northern Territory are currently partially open. Road travel between the Northern Territory and adjoining states is allowed but a border entry form must be submitted.
Tasmania’s borders remain closed until August 31.
Can I buy a car or caravan?
Car and caravan dealerships and showrooms in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory remain open and residents can visit these premises to purchase vehicles.
Victorian residents based in Melbourne can still buy cars and caravans from dealers but not in a conventional sense. Melbourne dealerships are closed under Stage 4 restrictions and are scheduled to re-open on September 13. Outside of Melbourne dealerships, etc, remain open.
Car and caravan buying can be conducted by Melbourne dealerships online or via the phone if the vehicles can be delivered to purchasers.
Can I get my car or caravan serviced or tyres fitted etc?
Dealerships, car repair shops, tyre services and panel beaters in all states except Victoria are open and residents can visit these premises to repair and/or service vehicles.
In Victoria during the Stage 4 lockdown restrictions, service departments of car dealerships in metropolitan Melbourne can remain open. Caravan servicing and spare parts departments can also remain open, but with limited capacity and under government restrictions.
In regards to cars, logbook servicing, tyre and windscreen replacement, body repairs, and other safety-related work and recall-related issues are allowed under Stage 4 restrictions.
If your motor vehicle requires a specialist and/or brand-specific workplace in order to complete repairs you are allowed to travel more than 5km. .
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