But the short trips across for school, work, the supermarket, health check-ups, friendships and community are suddenly no longer possible because of decisions made, without consultation, by people in power in the city.

It has been an especially difficult and confusing time for young people, who, during their school holidays, were suddenly not allowed to hang out with friends or participate in activities, and had no idea how they would be going to school.

This year has already seen significant disruptions with the bushfires and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This is a generation-defining moment for young people, with curriculums being delivered flexibly, many businesses at a standstill, and the future that young people have worked so hard for suddenly shrouded in uncertainty.

When the closures and crossings were first announced, 17-year-old school student Toni Mia from Tooleybuc could no longer cross the Tooleybuc Bridge to go to Swan Hill as she's done her entire life.

"All of my activities involve crossing the border into Victoria. I've been involved with NOVO Youth Council in Swan Hill. I am an Ambassador for Swan Hill Youth Arts Festival. My lessons for dance, singing and guitar are across the border. Even our netball team based in Tooleybuc regularly travels across the border to play other teams," Toni Mia said.

"It became a 70km detour to get across the border after the closures, rather than a short walk or drive across the Tooleybuc Bridge. We couldn't even get our mail because our post office box was a 100km drive one-way."

One silver lining is that the responsiveness of the Cross-Border Commissioners and local authorities has been outstanding. Exemptions for residents at border towns are now being processed at lightning speed, though gaps remain for young people.

Toni Mia and other students have a permit which they must carry with them to go to school, but young people must apply for separate permits on activities such as sport, music and attending community groups which now fit within a daily living category and are more challenging to access. Additional permits are required to obtain essential supplies including food and medical care. Rules and processes for obtaining these additional permits are unclear, and young people under 18 will again require consent from parents.

Even if they have their own transport, young people can only go across the border for school or work and must immediately return home across the border after classes or their other activities. Young people more than 50km from the border who access services or schools in a different state do not qualify for exemptions at all.

"There are at least 500 kids coming across the border for school in the Swan Hill region alone each day," Rhiannon Jennings, Southern Mallee Rural Development Co-ordinator for Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) said.

"Students travelling on a specific education permit have indicated concerns about the consequences of not meeting the requirements of their permits.

"What will happen when a student is required to stay behind after class or misses a bus home? With no public transport options available do young people risk a fine for not following their permit?"

Services are trying to find unique ways to continue supporting people across the border. Local supermarkets are working with police to safely drop off groceries for people who don't qualify for exemptions or cannot self-isolate for 14 days. Youth services are adapting and adopting new ways to ensure young people who usually participate in activities don't miss out.

It is concerning that health and emergency services who need to cross through borders to support rural and regional areas in a timely manner may not be able to do so, and that patients may not be able to access these services. There needs to be a resolution as soon as possible for our border communities.

"Our border communities have always been resilient and stood up to what's up against us, whether it be drought, fire or a global pandemic," Ms Jennings said.

Today's young people have grown up in an era of rapid change and disruption with the impacts of climate change and rise of the internet and social media, but COVID-19 is the first major event which has posed an immediate risk to their lives and futures.

We all have a responsibility and role to play to avoid further disruptions and fluctuating rules by adhering to the guidance of the health professionals and our government.

We must continue responding rapidly to the unintended and inequitable consequences of the restrictions as they emerge, and prioritise the needs of young people.

Young people are working hard to shape a safe, prosperous and fair post-COVID future and we will all benefit by creating opportunities for them to have a greater role in making that happen.