The border between NSW and Victoria will open in three weeks, Gladys Berejiklian has announced, as Victoria records its fifth consecutive day of zero coronavirus cases.
"Come a minute past midnight on 23 November, there will be free movement between NSW and Victoria," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Wednesday.
"Very proudly I say NSW will be the only jurisdiction in Australia that will be welcoming residents of all states, of all jurisdictions," she told reporters.
Ms Berejiklian also announced QR codes will become mandatory for venues from 23 November, as NSW Health is still identifying non-compliance seven months after the pandemic began.
The change was prompted in part by the failing of a southwest Sydney restaurant visited by a positive case to provide NSW Health with staffing and patronage records.
Jasmins1 Lebanese restaurant in Liverpool has been directed to close until NSW Health no longer considers it a public health risk.
NSW recorded three locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and six in returned travellers in hotel quarantine from more than 17,000 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.
Jasmin's Lebanese restaurant in Liverpool. Source: Facebook
All three were household contacts of known cases who were already isolating.
The border announcement comes as Ms Berejiklian continues to pile pressure on Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over her decision to bar Sydneysiders from entering the state.
Ms Berejiklian admits her relationship with her northern counterpart remains frosty.
The NSW premier says her text sent on Sunday congratulating the Queensland premier on her election victory remains unacknowledged.
"I just congratulated her, I said 'especially during a pandemic congratulations on your win and I would love to talk borders with you'," Ms Berejiklian told Sydney radio Nova on Wednesday.
"I haven't heard back yet ... (but) I've had bigger disappointments in my life," she said.
"But our Blues will reply tonight when we win against the Maroons," she added, in reference to the State of Origin match.
The single local case announced on Tuesday was a staff member at Jasmins1 who worked three shifts while potentially infectious.
Those who attended the restaurant for more than one hour in the evening on 26 and 31 October or the morning of 1 November are advised to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
Those who attended for less than an hour are casual contacts and should get tested and remain in isolation until a negative result is received.
Investigations revealed the restaurant did not have a COVID Safety Plan and did not keep contact details of patrons as required by the Public Health Order, NSW Health said on Tuesday.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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