The Victorian government lowered the CCP virus risk status of New South Wales to orange allowing tens of thousands of stranded people to travel home for this first time since New Years Day.
Over 51,000 Victorians were granted permits on Monday but only after waiting for almost three hours because of “technical matters” on the states COVID-19 border entry online system.
State Health Minister Martin Foley apologised for the delay in getting the system operational.
“So there was a complex system of both policy and technical matters that I wanted to make sure that we got right before we went live,” Foley told ABC radio on Monday.
Foley also admitted to ABC Radio Melbourne in a separate interview that they had found the system had “a couple of bugs” and required Services Victoria to perform some extra background work.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) also posted a message on Twitter apologising for the inconvenience and thanking people for their patience.
“The new Victorian travel permit system is now live.” they wrote. “Service Vic and DHHS are very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience.”
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley at a press conference in Melbourne, Australia on Dec. 6, 2020. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
According to DHHS around 12,000 permits were processed within the first hour of the system going online.
The states border entry system is compulsory and those failing to present a permit can face fines of up to $5,000. A virus test within 72 hours of arriving in Victoria is also required.
Once tested they added to the contact tracing system which also linked to the permit program, similar the to G2G pass app in Western Australia and Tasmania.
It comes as Victoria recorded its seventh straight day of no virus community transmissions but three people tested positive coming from overseas, bringing the total of active cases in the state to 35.
