Flights from Griffith to Melbourne will remain available for essential workers on a biweekly basis, with East-West Airlines ramping up security to ensure air travel remains possible.
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The closure of the NSW-VIC border and travel risks associated with the upcoming school holidays have sparked cause for concern among locals, after two suspected cases of COVID-19 returned positive results on preliminary testing in the Albury Local Government Area.
One Border resident who tested positive for COVID-19 recently travelled to Melbourne, and had returned prior to hotspot travel restrictions coming into force.
"Everyone wanting to travel from Melbourne COVID-19 hotspots to Griffith will be refused entry to our aircraft, and that rule has been in place for the last two weeks," East-West Airlines Vianney Rouille said.
"When travellers arrive in Griffith, someone from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District will take their temperature, ask them questions and make sure that everyone is doing the right thing."
A permit system will be introduced to allow locals to cross the border for work and health services.
The permit system will be coordinated by Service NSW and is expected to be established in a few days.
MLHD Chief Executive, Jill Ludford, says the spike in Melbourne has highlighted what can go wrong if people don't follow safety protocol.
"I'm sure that everyone in our region will share our concern with what we're seeing unfold in Victoria," Ms Ludford said.
"We have put into place some extraordinary precautions to keep the people in our region safe."
MLHD Senior Environmental Health Officer, Tony Burns, says they are working closely with transport providers to ensure safety for the wider community.
"We're working with the airlines and also VIC trains to ensure that anyone who is getting off a train or a plane are screened," Mr Burns said.
"That involves a temperature check and also a screening questionnaire."
East-West Airlines will continue Melbourne flights every Tuesday and Friday for essential travellers.
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