Murray MP Helen Dalton welcomed the decision, saying the ease of restrictions is a good example of how people power and regional media can bring about change.

"The NSW Government are patting themselves on the back, like arsonists congratulating themselves for putting out fires they lit," Mrs Dalton said.

"But credit must go to the thousands of people who sent emails to Ministers demanding these changes."

Border zone residents will be eligible for a permit if they are entering or returning to NSW for work, education, medical reasons or to provide or receive care.

Agricultural workers will be allowed to cross the border within a 100 kilometre radius.

There will also be quarantine zones closer to the border, ensuring that people don't have to travel to New South Wales via Sydney.

"It's only when these issues are raised in the media that the NSW Government even considers doing anything," Mrs Dalton said.

"Regional media too did a fantastic job keeping this issue pressure on.

"It makes you wonder what would happen to us if these papers cease to exist."

Mrs Dalton said she's been inundated by people unable to go to work, parents unable to send their children to school and people unable to travel to their medical appointments or care for dying relatives.

"It's good to see common sense prevail. My office must've made more than 500 phone calls and emails to Ministers urging them to ease these border restrictions," Mrs Dalton said.

"But this never would have happened in the first place if they'd come to towns like Deniliquin, Moama and Wentworth and talked to people here."

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