What you need to know about domestic travel in Qld
Forget surging petrol prices, there’s a potential new cost coming to locals wanting to cross the border for a day trip to Byron Bay in December. Here’s everything you need to know about domestic travel restrictions that will fire up once the border reopens.
QLD Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland locals wanting to cross the border for a day trip to Byron Bay in December or visit family interstate for Christmas could be set back $150 for a Covid-19 test on their return to the state.
Current restrictions for entering Queensland from a hotspot state that when Queensland reaches the 80 per cent fully-vaccinated mark, travellers can return from hotspots by road or air.
But these travellers must be fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Queensland.
According to Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, who provide Covid-19 PCR tests for travel, the cost of a test starts at $145.
Queensland Health is yet to announce whether PCR tests for travel will be available at public testing sites.
New South Wales and Victoria remain declared hot spots, meaning anyone who has been to those locations must follow strict rules on arrival into Queensland.
Restrictions are set to ease from November 19, or when the state reaches 70 per cent fully vaccinated, before the rules change again on December 17 when Queensland reaches 80 per cent double-dosed.
CAN I CROSS THE BORDER FOR A DAY TRIP?
When Queensland reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated, locals who want to travel interstate to a declared hotspot can do so, but restrictions apply when returning to Queensland.
You can return from a hotspot by road or air as long as you are fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Queensland.
DO I NEED A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST?
If you are coming from a hotspot once Queensland reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated you will be required to have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Queensland.
HOW MUCH DOES A COVID-19 PCR TEST COST?
Queensland Health is yet to announce whether PCR tests for travel will be available at public testing sites. Covid-19 Real Time RT-PCR Tests cost around $150 at private pathology clinics. At Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Covid-19 testing for pre-travel patients is not covered by Medicare and must be prepaid.
DO I NEED A BORDER PASS?
Yes. Border passes will continue to be needed when Queensland reaches both 70 per cent and 80 per cent vaccination rates. This is to be reassessed at the 90 per cent stage.
CAN I CROSS THE BORDER FOR CHRISTMAS DAY?
Yes, you can cross the border into Queensland for Christmas Day from a hotspot by road or air as long as you are fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival.
The same rules apply for Queenslanders wanting to travel to NSW for a day and return within that same period.
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DOMESTIC ARRIVALS FROM NOVEMBER 19 OR 70 PER CENT FULLY VACCINATED?
When arriving into Queensland travellers who have been in a hotspot in the past 14 days must be fully vaccinated, arrive by air, have returned a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and undertake 14 days home quarantine.
For arrivals who have not been to a hotspot, there are no restrictions on entry into Queensland and no requirement to quarantine.
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DOMESTIC ARRIVALS FROM DECEMBER 17 OR 80 PER CENT FULLY VACCINATED
Restrictions will ease from mid-December allowing travellers coming from hotspots to enter Queensland provided they are fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Travellers will be allowed to arrive by road or air with no quarantine required if meeting these criteria. There are no restrictions for travellers who have not been in a hotspot in the last 14 days.
WHAT ARE THE RULES WHEN QUEENSLAND REACHES 90 PER CENT FULLY VACCINATED?
Fully vaccinated travellers will see no restrictions when the state reaches 90 per cent double dose. This could be in early 2022.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to meet relevant requirements for entry and will be required to undertake a period of quarantine.
I AM A RETURNING TRAVELLER, CAN I QUARANTINE AT HOME?
When Queensland reaches 70 per cent fully vaccinated, f you have been to a hotspot in the last 14 days you may return to Queensland if you are fully vaccinated and arrive by air.
You must have a negative Covid-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival and undertake 14 days home quarantine subject to conditions set by Queensland Health.
If you are coming from anywhere in Australia that is not declared a hotspot there are no restrictions on entry.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT HOT SPOTS AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS?
Travel to Queensland is restricted from New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand’s North Island.
There are currently 17 blue zones for towns on the Queensland and New South Wales border who can cross for a variety of essential purposes, including to work or seek medical care or essential supplies.
The rest of Australia is declared a green zone, meaning there are no travel restrictions.
Australian-first dual vaccine to win over the hesitant, compromised
A combined Covid-19 and influenza vaccine is being trialled in Queensland in the hope it will protect people who otherwise cannot have, or are hesitant about, another type.
‘The biggest public health threat of our times’
Experts say instances of self harm linked to social media use are at virus epidemic levels, labelling it “the biggest public health threat of our times”.