TEST numbers for the deadly coronavirus are reaching capacity in Ballarat amid changing border zones and rising active cases beyond state lines to start the school holidays.
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UFS primary care operations manager Danielle Trezise warned, despite the sharp rise in tests, Ballarat people should not become complacent as the virus was still very much alive and circulating as people continued to move about more.
Victoria recorded a second-straight day of no locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Monday despite outbreaks in Sydney and Darwin that have leaked into other states. Greater Brisbane, Perth and the neighbouring Peel region, regional New South Wales and Canberra have all now been flagged orange zones with travel restrictions into Victoria.
Ms Trezise said test bookings in Ballarat started to spike on Saturday evening, creating demand for an extra nurse to help in the Errard Street clinic on Sunday.
The clinic was all-but-booked out on Monday - Ms Trezise made clear appointments were kept for the most urgent cases - and Tuesday had been filling fast.
"People in Ballarat love to travel," Ms Trezise said. "We've had lots of people needing tests."
The free test clinic can take about 180 tests per day.
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Anyone with the slightest cold, flu or hayfever-like symptoms is urged to get tested and self-isolate until they get a negative result.
Ms Trezise said anyone travelling interstate should constantly check Victorian Health Department details for testing and isolation.
This comes as police patrolling the Victorian-NSW border are taking a hardline stance on travellers sneaking south of the Murray River.
About 260 officers have been stationed across Victoria's road border since Saturday, with police using automatic number plate recognition to check vehicles. Victorians must have the relevant red or orange travel permits to re-enter the state but members of the Victorian-NSW border bubble can cross freely.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said patience was running thin and ineligible travellers were set to face $4957 on-the-spot fines.
"If there's a need to escalate, we will escalate," Mr Patton said. "That discretion, that window period, is very rapidly closing. From here on in, you're going to see much stricter enforcement."
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said 5000 red zone permit applications had been made since June 23, with more than 1000 processed on Sunday alone. About 38 per cent had returned a negative COVID-19 result. A further 21,000 orange zone permits have been issued since June 11, and 31 per cent of holders have returned negative tests.
Mr Foley said border permits were not handed down on a whim, noting it was the first time Victoria had listed orange and red zones in most Australian states and territories.
The government has made clear tighter border restrictions could be scaled up if needed.
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