Queensland keeps PCR pre-arrival tests for travellers despite pleas from NSW government

While day five tests for interstate travellers have been scrapped, Queensland is still demanding people get a PCR test no more than 72 hours before travelling to the state.

Travellers entering Queensland from interstate hotspots will still need to get a cumbersome Covid-19 PCR test no more than 72 hours before they arrive, despite desperate calls from New South Wales for “tourism testing” to be scrapped.

About 440,000 people have applied to come into Queensland since borders reopened two weeks ago, with those from New South Wales, Victoria or the ACT required to have proof they had tested negative for Covid-19.

The rule has caused testing clinics to be overwhelmed, with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard slamming “tourism testing” for crippling the state’s system.

“Tourism testing” has been blamed for overwhelming Covid testing clinics across NSW.

“What has been required by the Queensland premier obviously makes no sense at all. But come January 1 – which is only a few days away now – she may well change it,” he said.

“All we’re saying to her is: can she ease the pressure now? We’re all in agreement, it doesn’t make sense. Even she is in agreement, she just hasn’t moved to make it easier.”

Mr Hazzard, speaking to The Australian, claimed 99 per cent of arrivals into Queensland weren’t being asked to even show proof of the PCR test result thus making it redundant.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath defended the importance of the pre-arrival PCR test, saying there were many people who had found themselves to be positive just before coming into Queensland due to the rule.

Ms D’Ath reiterated the state was looking at whether it could move to rapid antigen tests from January 1 but did not signal if the decision would be hastened.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says Queensland is looking at moving to rapid antigen tests from January 1 for people travelling to the state. Picture: Dan Peled

She warned that a shift to pre-arrival testing using rapid antigen test kits would not be a panacea if there wasn’t enough stock.

“To say you don’t need to line up for PCR test in New South Wales and Victoria, for example, and then people find they can’t get access to a RAT test. That’s not going to fix the problem,” Ms D’Ath said.

Amid the latest bout of bickering between the states, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called for a commonsense solution to the “border wars” sparked by Covid-19 testing requirements for travellers.

He backed the calls for increased use of rapid antigen tests to screen for Covid-19 in the community.

“What I will say is that we welcome moves towards rapid antigen tests as opposed to the PCR tests, it is quicker, cheaper, and prevents the overload of the system,” Mr Frydenberg told Channel 7’s Sunrise.

“We need an approach that is common sense and uses compassion and is not based on fear or panic.

“That has to be the message to state premiers and chief ministers, stop.”