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'Danger on the doorstep': No sign of Queensland border opening any time soon

By Lydia Lynch

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned of the "danger on the doorstep" as almost 300 COVID-19 cases remain active in neighbouring New South Wales.

No new cases were detected in Queensland on Thursday and the state has now gone 12 days without recording any community transmission.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says NSW still poses a risk.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says NSW still poses a risk. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer, Paul Harris, Kate Geraghty

"As of this morning, New South Wales had 297 active cases, we have 11," Ms Palaszczuk told State Parliament on Thursday morning.

"NSW had 96 additional cases in the past week, they’re having to take appropriate measures.

"Like Victoria, we wish NSW every success in containing the virus but Queensland isn’t taking any chances.

"Our borders will remain closed for as long as the risk remains."

Queensland's borders were reopened on July 10 after being closed for four months, but travel from Victoria has remained restricted.

Last weekend, the state effectively closed its southern road border after all of NSW and the ACT were declared coronavirus hot spots.

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Only some exempt essential workers such as freight drivers, along with border residents, are able to cross into the state at the NSW border.

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Ms Palaszczuk offered sympathies to those affected by the closure, but said it was necessary to prevent a second wave from striking the state.

"I cannot thank Queenslanders enough for the selfless way they are confronting this pandemic," she said.

"Queenslanders can rely on each other, we’ve proven it time and time again. We cannot let our guard down."

All of Queensland's 11 coronavirus patients live in the south-east.

- with Matt Dennien

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/danger-on-the-doorstep-no-sign-of-queensland-border-opening-any-time-soon-20200813-p55la5.html