Covid-19 Qld: Wait on modelling as expert says we could open before 90pc vaccination

Queensland will wait and see modelling on international travel, as NSW and Victoria reopen their borders. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Authorities are waiting to see modelling to determine whether international travel could resume in Queensland before it hits its 90 per cent vaccine threshold, as other jurisdictions throw open their borders from today.

Queensland is still trailing most of the country – sitting on just 63 per cent fully vaccinated – with the State Government yesterday insisting people needed to get the jab now with just six and a half weeks until the domestic border reopened.

But as international travel resumes in NSW and Victoria today, deputy chief health officer Lynne McKinlay wasn’t able to say whether it could in Queensland before the state reached its 90 per cent fully vaccinated target.

Infectious diseases expert Paul Griffin said he didn’t think it was necessary to wait until 90 per cent.

Dr McKinlay said: “That’s a decision that’s going to be made with a lot of input from health and from a whole lot of decisions about what’s happening across Australia as well.

“A lot of those decisions are being made looking at the data, looking at the modelling.”

Pressed further, Dr McKinlay said she couldn’t comment.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the modelling shows,” she said.

Queensland recorded no new Covid-19 cases again yesterday, with 77.35 per cent of people having now received their first dose of vaccine.

It comes as quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia resumes today for some jurisdictions.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said Queensland would retain its existing arrangements for quarantine-free travel from the South Island of New Zealand only.

“This is due to the vast majority of New Zealand’s recent cases being community acquired in the North Island,” she said.

“In accordance with the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 Vaccine Plan to Unite Families, it is anticipated that direct arrivals into Queensland from the North Island of New Zealand will continue to be subject to quarantine requirements until 90 per cent of the eligible Queensland population is fully vaccinated.

“From December 17, in line with the Covid-19 Vaccine Plan to Unite Families, Australian citizens or permanent residents can travel to Queensland on a direct international flight provided they are fully vaccinated, have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure and undertake a period of home quarantine.”

Senior minister Mark Bailey said people needed to be vaccinated for when the borders opened.

“If you want to avoid a regional lockdown in future, then get vaccinated right now,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr McKinlay revealed she didn’t put her hand up for chief health officer, after Krispin Hajkowicz decided he would no longer take up the role.

She said she was confident that Peter Aitken, who is acting in the role until a permanent appointment is made, would do a great job.