Lying on either side of the Murray River that separates New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga, more commonly known as Albury-Wodonga, have long functioned as a community and an economy.
Many of their 100,000 residents cross the border to work and school every day. Businesses run on both sides of the river. The two cities even share the same hospital, located in Albury on the NSW side but covered by the Victoria health system.
But the border was sealed on Wednesday as authorities rushed to prevent a second wave of infections across the country. In recent weeks, Victoria has struggled to contain a sudden re-emergence of coronavirus in Melbourne as the number of cases has continued to increase.
Authorities blocked the main roads between Victoria and NSW after midnight - the first time in 100 years since the border was last closed during the Spanish flu pandemic.
Residents of Victoria are prohibited from entering New South Wales, but exemptions are granted for certain purposes and professions, including cross-border residents in colonies like Albury-Wodonga.
Online cross-border permit applications started Tuesday evening, but the website crashed just 45 minutes after launch, with 44,000 people applying, according to Australian national broadcaster ABC.
There are 55 level crossings between Victoria and NSW, on a border that extends over 1,000 kilometers (621.3 miles). Albury-Wodonga is on the busiest crossings of all - and on Australia's longest freight route, which raises concerns about the potential economic damage to the region.
"Complete frustration and chaos"
Early Wednesday morning, traffic spread for miles at the Lincoln Causeway border checkpoint, a main thoroughfare connecting Albury and Wodonga, as police examined each passing car.
It took a few residents of Wodonga - on the Victoria side of the border - 50 minutes to cross the checkpoint at 6 a.m. to go to work in Albury, said Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie who described the situation "unacceptable".
"Unfortunately, today started as we hoped with frustration and utter chaos," Speedie told reporters next to the checkpoint.
"At 7:30 am, we had traffic in the middle of my city, in the heart of the city," she said.
Speedies said his government would continue to work with the New South Wales police to develop more practical approaches.
"We must do better, we must absolutely find solutions, because this is absolutely inaccessible for our community."
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said three people from Melbourne had been caught crossing the border with Albury since 2 a.m. Wednesday. They were turned back by the police, he said.
This week Albury recorded two new cases of coronavirus for the first time in weeks. A resident who returned from Melbourne contracted the virus and passed it on to a family member, according to local health officials.
Bikram Gujral, a truck driver lining up at the checkpoint, said he understood the strict border restrictions that were put in place.
"It's obviously frustrating for everyone. But whatever the government does, it's in our best interest anyway, so I think it's the right thing to do if it's in our favor to be safe, "he said.
Separated by the border
But for some, closing the border can cost them their last chance to see their loved one.
April Smithers, 29, is being treated for terminal bone cancer at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Center in Albury, on the NSW side of the border.
She and her husband Chris Carter live in Wodonga, on the Victoria site.
"Our home is in Victoria. We cross New South Wales almost every day to come to this hospital. With the border closed ... I will stay here. Fortunately, the hospital can give me a bed. last night, "said Carter. .
But Carter's parents, who had traveled from Canberra to Wodonga to see the couple, cannot pass to New South Wales, he said.
"My parents came down to help me and April get through this," said Carter. "But now they are not residents, they do not have medical care themselves to go to New South Wales ... They cannot see April until we find out how they get their pass . "
The re-emergence of the virus highlights the difficulties faced by authorities around the world as they try to reopen cities after prolonged closings. Australia has been touted as one of the best performing countries in the world to fight and contain the virus, close its borders and quickly restrict international travel.
Residents of Australia's second largest city will no longer be allowed to leave their homes, except for groceries, care, exercise or work. Cafes and restaurants that were allowed to reopen weeks ago will come back to take out and deliver only. Beauty and personal services will be closed, as well as cultural and entertainment venues.
