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A fraction flout Vic border rules: police

Emily WoodsAAP
Only a fraction of those crossing the NSW border into Victoria are not sticking to the permit rules.
Camera IconOnly a fraction of those crossing the NSW border into Victoria are not sticking to the permit rules. Credit: AAP

Almost 99 in 100 people attempting to cross the NSW border into Victoria during the latest Delta coronavirus outbreak have had the correct paperwork, fresh police data shows.

More than 76,000 people have been checked by police along state borders and major roads since roving patrols began at the end of June.

Victoria Police said compliance has been "overwhelmingly high" at 98.9 per cent, and the few who have broken the rules have been either "naive or unaware of the required process".

On some days police have not fined anyone at the border.

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A majority of fines have been given to people who broke stay-home rules or were caught travelling beyond the five-kilometre limit during Victoria's fifth lockdown.

Some freight truck drivers have been caught turning in paperwork with errors, but most have been issued a warning and told to return with the correct documents.

However, in recent weeks police have caught more people breaking health rules to host parties at their homes and in short-term accommodation.

Visitors at home are banned under the current rules, unless they are an intimate partner or part of a single bubble.

Victorians are allowed to travel to stay in accommodation but only with people from their household, partners or others in their single bubble.

About 100 police have also started doorknocking as part of a three-day blitz to make sure close contacts in Victoria are isolating.

Anyone caught breaking the health directions could face an on-the-spot fine of $1817.

Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said that overwhelmingly, community compliance with COVID-19 health directions had been "fantastic".

"We've got great people who really care," he said of Victorians.

Police have 350 officers stationed along the NSW border and 50 at the South Australian border.

There are another several hundred involved in policing hotel quarantine sites and officers are also stationed in alpine resort areas.

When checking on primary close contacts of confirmed cases in the recent lockdowns, the commissioner said police had also encountered excellent community compliance.

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