Victoria Police are ramping up their presence on the NSW border to prevent travellers from COVID-19 hotspots entering the state.
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The force announced on Friday night that, following a decision from the health department, it was stationing 260 police officers to rove the Victoria/NSW border and conduct spot checks.
Police will also check on travellers using number plate recognition technology.
"Victoria Police will be heavily enforcing the border restrictions and an on-the-spot fine of nearly $5,000 will apply," a statement said.
The southern state has been gradually emerging from a strict two-week lockdown in late May and early June - it's fourth since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Having driven daily infections down to zero, health authorities are desperate to protect the state and prevent further lockdowns.
Two Victorian men have contracted the virus from a superspreader event in Sydney, after one of them returned to Melbourne via plane at the weekend.
So far, they are the only local cases connected to the Sydney outbreak to have been detected in Victoria.
Australian Associated Press
