The NSW Premier Ms Gladys Berejlian announced today that as at November 23, 2020, NSW would be the only state in Australia that would have its borders open to all Australians. She stated that this decision has been made taking into account the available information and advice of health authorities.
In the last 24 hours, NSW recorded nine cases of COVID 19 positive result, with six of these being in the hotel quarantine and the three cases being traced and investigated.
In the meantime, there had been media reports on what had been referred to a "childish rift" between the Queensland Premier Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk. It had been reported that:
"Ms Berejiklian texted the newly re-elected Ms Palaszczuk following her win at the polls on Saturday to open a dialogue about border restrictions but did not receive a response for three days.
"Only after her state won the first State of Origin clash on Wednesday night did Ms Palaszczuk respond with a text reportedly along the lines of 'Queenslander, great game'."
On a happier note, from today, visitors travelling from New South Wales who present no COVID-19 symptoms can enter Tasmania quarantine-free. The first flight from Sydney arrived at 11:15am this morning.
Victorians are celebrating the seventh double doughnut day, with zero new COVID 19 cases and no deaths. Victoria Premier Dan Andrews welcomes the NSW decision to open its border to Victoria as at November 23.
At present the borders open to NSW residents are: Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and South Australia. Queensland remains closed to Greater Sydney residents while Western Australia's borders remain closed to all.
In the meantime, the much awaited arrangements under the Tasman Travel Bubble to allow reciprocal visits between New South Wales and New Zealand residents are expected to be finalised by December.
A decision has been reached to cancel Mardi Gras parade in 2021. Instead a ticketed event will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.