Residents across border communities in Mallee have been impacted by the border closures, with many last week having to travel large distances to cross the border. Local bridges were locked, and this week workers travelling between Mildura and Robinvale were told they would have to travel via Hattah and Wemen to drive to and from work.“There have been many concerns raised with me over the last week and a half regarding the NSW border closures,” Dr Webster said.“Initially last week bridges at Yelta, Tooleybuc, Nyah and Murrabit were closed. Yelta was opened quickly to one way traffic and then from this week to two way traffic. Tooleybuc was quickly opened after significant lobbying to the Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Shane Whyte. Murrabit and Nyah took significantly more work to get opened, but they were finally opened from Saturday.“On Monday this week it was brought to my attention that police at the border crossing were instructing people transiting through NSW to Robinvale for work, including employees at Robinvale District Health, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Operative and the local schools, that they should not be travelling through NSW but to use the alternate route via Hattah.“This route approximately doubles the length of time needed for travel and introduces risks involved with narrow country roads.“I immediately contacted the NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish and his team to get this issue sorted. It is unacceptable that people transiting and not stopping in NSW should be forced to drive via Hattah – Wemen route in order to travel between Mildura and Robinvale.“The Cross Border Commissioner took the issue up straight away, negotiating with the NSW Police service to allow the common “C” class permit to be used.“Early this morning (Tuesday) I received word from the Cross Border Commissioner that residents transiting between Mildura and Robinvale would only require the “C” Class permits, and that police and ADF personnel on the bridge had been briefed on this change.“NSW health is also changing the Public Health Order to allow this travel.”“It’s important that people remember to have their permits with them when travelling, and proof of ID and address, as the Police at the checkpoints have been instructed to turn travellers back to Victoria if they do not.’