More state border control measures put in-place over Easter long weekend

Police have intercepted non-essential travellers and a ‘disappointing’ number of speeding vehicles at the Qld border today, following new and intensified travel restrictions.

POLICE say 19 people have been turned back on the M1 since tougher new COVID-19 restrictions came into force.

And two people crossing the border at Goondiwindi have been served with 14-day isolation notices after visiting coronavirus hot spots in NSW.

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Police Commissioner and Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler revealed the figures at a media conference at a border checkpoint at Coolangatta.

A police officer stops a driver at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland – New South Wales border, Thursday, April 9, 2020. The Queensland Government is introducing new border control measures effective Friday where Queenslander residents crossing the border back into Queensland will also now need a permit. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

Supt Wheeler said 200 vehicles had been intercepted on the M1 since Good Friday, with 11 vehicles containing 19 people turned back towards Brisbane.

“They had no (essential) reason to be travelling to the Gold Coast,” he said.

But Supt Wheeler said no infringement notices had been issued.

Commissioner Carroll said two people had been served with isolation notices after rightly obtaining new border passes declaring they had visited one of 13 COVID-19 hot spots in NSW.

She said she was pleased with the ‘truly remarkable’ attitude being shown by most people although increased speeding due to quieter roads, particularly on the M1, was ‘terribly disappointing’.

Heavy concrete barriers replace the Plastic water filled ones on the NSW / QLD border on Miles Street Kirra. Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

Beaches at Surfers Paradise, The Spit and Coolangatta have been closed to deter Easter crowds and Ms Carroll said she was pleased to see people only going to the beach for exercise.

Supt Wheeler revealed police were using drones equipped with PA systems to warn people doing the wrong thing on beaches, and officers were also patrolling the sand in all-terrain vehicles.

It follows a new suite of entry restrictions that were put in place by police this morning to tighten existing state border controls in order to help reduce COVID-19 spread.

From midnight last night, all Queenslanders returning home from interstate now require a new Queensland Entry Pass.

Police warn motorists all existing green entry and vehicle passes have voided as of 12.01am this morning.

New passes will be individually issued and each person entering the state, including children, will require an application which can be made here.

Queensland police have also said any exempt resident, including interstate freight transport services, who arrives in Queensland must self-quarantine if they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot area.

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler and Senior Sergeant B Murphy inspect the new Heavy concrete barriers which replaced the Plastic water filled ones on the NSW / QLD border on Miles Street Kirra. Photo: Scott Powick, Newscorp

All exempt residents must abide by the 14-day quarantine unless their travel was for an essential purpose.

Heavy concrete blocks remain along Gold Coast borders to stop unessential travel as they continue to stay in place for an indefinite time period.