But whether this will apply to Goulburn and district people left in limbo with their second COVID vaccination may come down to the individual health clinics.

Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman, for one, says the standing order is far from clear.

"The health of NSW border residents, including Goulburn and surrounds, should not be compromised due to lack of preparation from the ACT Government and the lack of clear guidelines," she said in a statement.

"The issuing of vaccines, particularly the second dose, I consider to be urgent and essential. This needs to be specifically defined in any standing exemption order."

ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman signed the standing exemption exemption order this week. It means that people within the SNSWLHD can enter the ACT for scheduled medical appointments without applying for an exemption.

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It applies to 'time critical' appointments and carries a provision that people must receive prior confirmation from their health facility that it will proceed. Children under 18 and those that require a carer are also permitted to be accompanied by a parent or carer.

The Post understands that medical facilities will ask people questions regarding COVID before the appointment in order to provide clearance.

Eden Monaro MP Kristy McBain said the order followed "multiple discussions" between her and ACT chief minister Andrew Barr about residents travelling to the Territory for essential health care and specialist appointments.

However Mrs Tuckerman and Goulburn Mulwaree Council have also made representations

"Prior to this standing exemption, I was approached by countless people from Braidwood, to Cooma and down on the coast who were all worried about missing essential medical treatment because they're application for an exemption hadn't been approved," Ms McBain said.

"With the Victorian border closed and Sydney at the epicentre of the current pandemic, people in my electorate have been reliant on Canberra health services for specialist appointments and life-saving treatment.

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"The standing exemption order means people don't need to stress about missing essential surgeries, ongoing cancer treatment or regular specialist check-ups while waiting for an exemption to be approved."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the standing exemption would remain in place until the end of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency.

"With the ACT in lockdown, we remind people coming from NSW for medical treatment to follow the public health advice on our COVID-19 website when in the ACT," he said.

"It is also important that people follow the instructions that they are being given by the staff at our health facilities."

He previously said he preferred people to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations close to their homes.

But Mrs Tuckerman said she continued to be contacted by "countless residents" frustrated with the exemption process to enter the ACT for their second COVID-19 vaccine.

"I have heard so many inconsistencies in the process of who is allowed to enter Canberra and for what purpose, and even stories of people being approved to then cross the border but be denied their vaccine appointment upon arrival," she said.

"...I call on ACT Health to ensure hassle free exemptions for all medical appointments including vaccinations. To be clear, I do not mean just within the border bubble but all persons seeking vaccination within the SNSWLHD footprint of."

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She had met with ACT Health, NSW Health and the Cross Border Commissioner, James McTavish but was frustrated the matter "remained unresolved."

"I acknowledge the undue stress and anxiety this is causing our regional communities and will keep people informed on the matter," Mrs Tuckerman said.

The MP has also spoken to Deputy Premier John Barilaro, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Mr McTavish and SNSWLHD chief executive, Margaret Bennett, "strongly advocating" for a local vaccination hub.

This would help resolve the bottleneck and access problems to the ACT.

On Thursday, Deputy Premier John Barilaro acknowledged the border issues. The ACT government had been allowing people entry for medical reasons but in recent days had changed its mind. This was a particular difficulty for people awaiting their second jab.

"So we need to ramp up our efforts in that region to get people vaccinated and perhaps that involves a vaccination hub in Goulburn or Queanbeyan, and we're definitely talking about that," he said.

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Mayor Bob Kirk also took up the border problem with Mrs Tuckerman, Hume MP Angus Taylor, the SNSWLHD and the ACT government, the latter via the Canberra Region Joint Organisation of Councils.

He questioned what would happen to the distribution of second vaccines if people caught up in the border problem couldn't get to appointments.

"The alternative plan is to set up a state government vaccination hub in Goulburn so these people have somewhere to go," he said.

The Mayor was pleased that Wednesday's positive COVID case appeared to have minimal impact, with no public exposure sites identified. The person, who contracted the virus from an ACT exposure site, was also not in the community during the infectious period. There were no new COVID cases for Goulburn on Thursday but Queanbeyan recorded two.

However Cr Kirk said Goulburn was still vulnerable, with the potential for "idiots" from the metro area breaking rules and travelling to the area.

"We've been lucky so far and we want it to stay that way," he said.

The Local Emergency Management Committee met on Thursday. An emergency management plan surrounding COVID is in place, carrying varying alert levels and the response by each agency.

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