Qld border reopening: Everything you need to know
Queensland border rules will change from Monday when the state opens to Covid hotspots. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Queensland border rules will change on Monday, opening to hot spots in southern states since their latest outbreaks.
With Queensland 80 per cent fully vaccinated, travellers can enter the state from 1am Monday if they are fully vaccinated, have had a negative test in 72 hours before arrival and agree to be tested on day five after entering.
Border passes will be required for all arrivals into Queensland whether they come from a declared hotspot or not.
The state government will allow travellers from Queensland to enter a border zone in NSW without requiring a negative test from Monday.
From Friday December 17, Queensland’s vaccine mandate will begin, with hospitality and entertainment venues to only allow vaccinated patrons in their businesses.
Will the Queensland borders be open for Christmas?
Domestic borders will open to all Australian states from December 13, with people arriving from hot spots required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated, have had a negative Covid test in the last 72 hours and have a border pass.
People coming from hot spots must get a Covid-19 test on day five after arrival.
International arrivals must be fully vaccinated and return a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure.
Travellers must get a test upon arrival and go into home or hotel quarantine for 14 days.
People arriving in Queensland from hot spots who are not fully vaccinated must arrive by air and hotel quarantine for 14 days.
What do Queensland residents travelling interstate need to know?
Queensland residents travelling to hot spots should be aware that they are required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated, have had a negative PCR test in the 72 hours before arrival, and have a border pass upon returning home.
Residents are permitted to travel into the NSW border zone without needing a negative Covid-19 test, but must be fully vaccinated and have a valid border pass.
What do travellers coming to Queensland need to know?
Travellers coming to Queensland from hot spots must be fully vaccinated, have had a negative Covid-19 test in the 72 hours before arrival and have a border pass.
Travellers who are arriving from a location that is not considered a hotspot (eg the border bubble) are able to travel freely into the state so long as they have a border pass.
Do I need a Queensland border pass?
All arrivals coming into Queensland, whether from a hotspot or not, must fill out a Queensland entry pass.
How do I get a border pass?
Queensland entry passes are to be filled out online on the Queensland Government website.
What do I need for a border pass?
To attain a Queensland border pass, arrivals from hot spots must show their proof of vaccination, proof of a negative Covid-19 test in the 72 hours before arrival and agree to get a Covid-19 test on day five.
What areas of NSW can I travel into for the border bubble?
The border zone includes the NSW locations of Ballina Shire, Bourke Shire, Brewarrina Shire, Byron Shire, City of Broken Hill, Clarence Valley Council, Glen Innes Severn Shire, Gwydir Shire, Inverell Shire, Kyogle Council, Lismore City, Richmond Valley Council, Tenterfield Shire, Tweed Shire, Walgett Shire and Unincorporated Far West.
Moree is not included in the border zone as it is considered a hotspot.
What areas are hot spots?
Hot spots include Victoria, the ACT, 128 local government areas in New South Wales excluding the border zone, Katherine and Robinson River in the Northern Territory and Greater Adelaide, South Australia.
What are the Queensland restrictions?
From December 17 hospitality and entertainment venues, galleries and festivals will be able to operate at full capacity, only allowing vaccinated people to enter their facilities.
There is currently not mask mandate for Queensland.
Vaccination certificate explained
Queensland will require many venues to check people’s vaccination status upon entry into their business from December 17.
People must download their vaccination certificate from Medicare and upload it to the Check In Queensland app.
Staff at these businesses will use the Check In Qld app to collect contact information, proof of vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication from all staff, guests and patrons upon entry.
Queensland Vaccine mandate explained
Certain businesses allow only vaccinated patrons to enter their premises can operate at full capacity from December 17.
These businesses include pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets, as well as nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres or cinemas and casinos.
The mandate also applies to festivals, sporting stadiums, theme parks and convention centres.
Queensland Government-owned galleries, museums or libraries are also included in the mandate.
These businesses must abide by the vaccine mandate and cannot choose to opt out and follow social distancing rules.
How do I get a negative PCR test?
People needing a Covid-19 test on day five after arrival can get a test at a public Covid-19 testing clinic or private pathology clinic.
Do I have to isolate while I wait for my day five results?
No, arrivals do not need to isolate while they await a negative test result.
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