The Australian Defence Force will be deployed to halt the unauthorised flow of traffic from NSW into the ACT for the first time in coming days, following ongoing reports of the virus coming in from across the border.
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Chief Minister Andrew Barr said work had been under way for several weeks to bring the ADF in to help patrol the borders.
"There will be boots on the ground," Mr Barr said.
He said conversations had been under way with the Commonwealth to prevent illegal travel into the ACT and alongside ACT Policing and State Emergency Services that operations would soon be underway.
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Police have already ramped up operations on the ACT border ahead of the school holidays with warnings compliance checks will continue at various entry points over the next few weeks.
Drivers attempting to enter the ACT from NSW on the Federal Highway on Friday were asked for exemption and border declaration passes, during a joint operation with NSW police.
Fifteen vehicles were turned away before midday, with police reporting the majority had travelled from Sydney or Goulburn. It comes as NSW recorded 1284 new COVID cases, including three in Goulburn.
The ACT recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, with 14 of those having spent time in the community while infectious.
ACT Road Policing Detective Acting Superintendent Donna Hofmeier said the majority claimed to be travelling for work purposes, however, entry was not permitted without a permit.
"There are health directions which restrict the movement of people across the border and with the school holidays starting everyone must remember that the lockdown rules still apply," Acting Superintendent Hofmeier said.
Checkpoints were set up on the Federal Highway, Canberra Avenue, Lanyon Drive and the Monaro Highway this week, with essential workers travelling from Queanbeyan reporting delays getting through.
More than 4300 vehicles were stopped on the first day of the operation on Thursday, with more than 20,000 vehicle compliance checks since lockdown began.
Fines have been issued for travellers from NSW who have been found to have deliberately attempted to break the rules.
"Canberra residents can't host visitors from NSW and Canberrans can't go for a holiday in NSW," she said.
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