Christmas cracker – state borders open by December 17, bans to ease next month
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that the state’s borders will be fully open by December 17 provided double-dose vaccinations reach 80 per cent by that date.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk couldn't remember the GST rate in her first campaign as leader. She never looked back. (AAP Image/Darren England)
In addition, those wishing to enter Queensland will be allowed to do so from November 19, but they will be required to serve two weeks of home quarantine.
Palaszczuk said the reopening plan would be rolled out in “cautious and measured stages” once 70 and 80 per cent of eligible Queenslanders were double-dosed.
If the targets are met it will mean people from interstate hot spots such as NSW and Victoria will be able to cross the border in time for Christmas.
“It’s simple,” Palazsczuk said.
“The more of us who are vaccinated, the sooner we are safely reunited with friends and family interstate and overseas.”
If 70 per cent of Queenslanders are double-dosed, expected on November 19, it will mean anyone who has been in a declared domestic hotspot in the previous 14 days can travel into Queensland, provided:
They are fully vaccinated;
Arrive by air;
Have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours;
Undertake home quarantine for 14 days.
Direct international arrivals into Queensland will have to complete 14 days quarantine in Government-nominated facility.
International arrivals who arrive via another state or territory will have to quarantine in a government-nominated facility until 14 days have passed since they arrived into Australia.
At 80 per cent of Queensland’s eligible population fully vaccinated, expected on December 17, travellers from an interstate hotspot can arrive by road or air.
Provisions include that they must be fully vaccinate and they must have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours. Those people will not be required to undergo any quarantine.
Paslaszczuk said it was important for businesses to know that at 80 per cent vaccination coverage, there will not be government financial assistance available in the event of increased restrictions or lockdowns.
At 90 per cent of Queenslanders fully vaccinated, there will be no entry restrictions or quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from interstate or overseas.,
As of today, 72.26 per cent of Queenslanders have had one dose. 56.58 per cent are fully vaccinated
