The Victorian premier has announced new rules and border restrictions in an effort to try and stop NSW's latest COVID outbreak spreading to Victoria.
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Borders will be closed from NSW from midnight tonight.
The red zone, where people will not be permitted into Victoria has now extended to the whole of Sydney and the central coast.
"If you are from greater Sydney, don't try and come to Melbourne or any part of Victoria and equally if you are Victorian don't go to Sydney, " Mr Andrews said on Sunday.
Anybody arriving from these areas from midnight tonight will have to go into mandatory 14 day quarantine.
These restrictions will not be lifted on Wednesday evening, unlike many of the restrictions announced in NSW, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
"People who have spent time in greater Sydney, do not try to come to Melbourne because you will spend your stay in a hotel room," he said.
"We have built something precious and we intend to safeguard it."
Mr Andrews warned that penalties would be high from $1600-$5000 for individuals who tried to break the rules.
Returning Victorians from the red zones will have slightly different rules, with a further 24 hours to get home but will be able to quarantine at home and must get tested within 24 hours.
All Victorians coming back, including flights coming in today are being stopped and checked. Permits are available for visitors from green areas of the state but people have been warned to expect delays as crossing checks are ramped up.
The premier announced 700 Victorian Police staff will now man the borders to check permits for the remaining green zones ( the rest of of NSW) and border communities who are still allowed to travel with verification of their address.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton also flagged the possibility of the red zone expanding in NSW in a rapidly changing situation as a further 30 cases were recorded from the outbreak in the northern beaches area.
Most of rural NSW is currently a green zone but he said this could change.
Mr Andrews said the border rules were tough but it was critical to ensure Victoria's run of 51 days free of community transmission continues.
"This is about keeping Victorians safe," he said
"We all have to play our part; wear a mask or get tested if you even have the slightest symptoms," Mr Andrews said.
"We are about to enjoy a COVID free Christmas but we can't take our position for granted."
"This is a very difficult time for families who planned to come together but it's also a very dangerous time of year as many people are coming together in large numbers," he said.
