Premier warns of border chaos, says Vics locked out for ‘as long as it takes’
Victorians will be locked out of Queensland until the southern state gets community transmission of coronavirus under control, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has returned to work with a long list of things to do. (Photo: AAP Image/Darren England)
About 250,000 people are waiting to stream into Queensland when the state reopens its borders to everyone but visitors from Victoria at noon.
Palaszczuk said her plan is safe but Victorians will remain locked out for the foreseeable future.
“As long as it takes … I hate to say that, but it’s as long as it takes until the community transmission there is under control,” she told Nine Network on Friday.
“There is no community transmission in any other state or territory.”
But the Premier said people heading for the Sunshine State should delay their plans if they want to avoid border chaos.
“You could be sitting in traffic for hours. If you’re thinking about coming today, maybe think about changing your plans.”
NSW school-holidaymakers are expected to make up a large portion of incoming tourists.
Queensland has only two active coronavirus cases, including an 81-year-old man who has battled the illness for more than four months, and a Defence Force officer who returned with the virus.
The only Victorians who’ll be allowed in are those who can prove they left the state at least a fortnight ago by presenting documents such as dated accommodation receipts.
-AAP
