Queensland’s PCR test mandate explained

Queensland has made PCR tests mandatory from mid-December. But who pays, who needs one and what will happen at the state’s border checkpoints? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Travellers entering Queensland from mid-December will be expected to pay $145 for a PCR Covid test if they are coming from a hotspot.

The Queensland Government has defended the call to force people to return a negative test, that they must pay for, no more than 72 hours before arrival into the state.

Acting chief health officer Peter Aitken said on Sunday that PCR tests, which were not covered by Medicare for travel, were the only accepted tests to enter the state.

“Queensland currently has four active cases – we want to identify every case and not miss 30 per cent, so we will continue to use PCR tests at this stage,” Dr Aitken said.

“(With rapid antigen tests) you miss the early stages of the disease and the later stages of disease, which means you don’t detect Covid in people until they are much further into disease.”

QUEENSLAND’S MANDATORY $145 PCR TEST EXPLAINED

WHAT IS A PCR TEST?

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is a nose swab that tests for Covid-19 through analysing upper respiratory specimen. It is used to accurately test whether a person is infected with Covid-19 or not.

Travellers must produce a negative Covid test within 72 hours of arriving into Queensland. Picture: Dan Peled

WHO HAS TO GET IT?

When Queensland reaches its 80 per cent fully vaccinated target, expected on December 17, anyone entering the state from a declared hotspot, including Victoria and New South Wales, must return a negative PCR test result no more than 72 hours before arriving.

WHY DO YOU HAVE TO GET THE PCR TEST?

The Queensland Government has made the negative test a requirement to help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the state. It has ruled out people getting rapid antigen tests due to accuracy concerns.

WHERE DO YOU HAVE TO GET THE PCR TEST?

PCR tests for travellers are available at private pathology at a cost, including Sullivan Nicolaides in Queensland, St Vincent’s pathology in Victoria and SydPath in New South Wales.

HOW LONG DO RESULTS TAKE?

Private pathology clinics like Sullivan Nicolaides offer a calculator tool to help ensure test results are back before arrival into Queensland. According to Queensland Health, results should be returned within a couple of days after the test was taken.

The Queensland Government has made it mandatory that anyone entering the state from a Covid hotspot from mid-December will have to get a negative PCR test. Picture: Dan Peled

DO YOU NEED TO GET A PCR TEST IF YOU’RE LEAVING QLD?

No. Only South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia require people from Covid hotspots to provide a negative PCR test on arrival, and Queensland is not considered a hotspot.

DO YOU NEED TO GET A PCR TEST IF YOU’RE ARRIVING FROM NSW OR VICTORIA?

From December 17, a negative PCR test result is required for people arriving in Queensland from these two states, as they remain declared hotspots.

CAN YOU GO TO A POP-UP TESTING CLINIC?

Testing for domestic or international travel is not currently covered by Medicare. According to Australian Clinical Labs, Medicare covers testing for symptomatic patients for diagnostic purposes. This does not extend to asymptomatic testing for travel.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HOTSPOT?

The Queensland Government’s declared Covid-19 hotspots include New South Wales, Victoria and parts of Northern Territory, including Katherine and Robinson River.

Queensland and Western Australia are the only states requiring travellers to produce a negative PCR test. Picture: Sarah Marshall

DO OTHER STATES REQUIRE YOU TO PAY FOR THESE TESTS?

Western Australia will also require a negative PCR test result from hotspots when it reaches 90 per cent fully vaccinated.

WILL POLICE BE AT QUEENSLAND BORDERS AFTER DECEMBER 17 CHECKING ALL REQUIREMENTS?

Yes, police will be checking vaccination status, border passes and negative test results at the border from December 17.

Authorities are warning of major delays at the Queensland border once they reopen in mid-December. Picture: Nigel Hallett

WILL THERE BE BORDER DELAYS ON DECEMBER 17?

With thousands of people looking to return home to Queensland or arrive ahead of Christmas, long delays are expected at the border when it opens at 80 per cent fully vaccinated.