Giant border marquee indicates checkpoints are here to stay

A 400 sqm steel structure erected overnight at an M1 checkpoint will protect border cops busy turning back scores of people from declared hotspots.

Border police are digging in for the long haul as NSW COVID-19 cases surge, with a giant marquee erected on the Gold Coast’s major checkpoint to protect officers from the sun and rain.

The 400 sqm steel structure went up overnight on the M1 checkpoint at Currumbin to shield police, SES workers and fire service personnel who are performing border duties from the elements.

A giant marquee has been erected on the Gold Coast’s major checkpoint to protect officers from the sun and rain.

It comes after NSW recorded 18 new coronavirus cases overnight, nine of them linked to the Sydney northern beaches cluster which prompted the Palaszczuk government to slam shut the border last week.

Gold Coast police chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said the marquee, straddling both northbound lanes of the M1, was needed because radiant heat from the road and concrete barricades was ‘cooking’ his troops.

“It was a health and safety issue .. we had to have some form of cover for police and other staff from the SES, RFS and TMR,” he said.

A giant marquee has been erected on the Gold Coast’s major checkpoint to protect officers from the sun and rain.

“The marquee will also provide a greater deal of comfort and safety for motorists who are stopped at the checkpoint.”

Border cops are continuing to turn back scores of people from the declared COVID-19 hotspot of Greater Sydney.

Since the border closed at 1am last Tuesday, 330 vehicles containing almost 760 people have been refused entry to Queensland at the checkpoints.

The State Government says it will review the border closure on January 8 but the signs are not good, with community transmissions of COVID-19 continuing to spread.