Premier issues stern warning to tourists: ‘Don’t put state at risk’

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned tourists not to undo the hard work of Queenslanders to keep the virus out by not following the state’s Covid rules.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk shared a blunt warning for tourists coming into Queensland as the state welcomed interstate arrivals from hot spots this morning.

“This is a special time,” said Ms Palaszczuk, speaking of the emotional scenes at the airport on Monday morning, before asking tourists to not undo the hard work of Queenslanders across the past two years.

“Tourists coming into the state who are not abiding by the rules would be putting the entire state at risk,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk revealed tourism bookings for the state were “very high” in the lead up to Christmas.

Queensland's border is now open to fully vaccinated domestic travellers into the state without needing to quarantine. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

She said she understood the domestic attraction to Queensland, but has pleaded with arrivals to “do the right thing”.

“With a lot more people, we know that the virus is going to spread,” she said.

With the influx of tourists, Ms Palaszczuk said it was “more important than ever” for these tourists to employ the Queenslander attitude.

“It is really important that people coming into our state are checking in,” she said.

“Queenslanders do this all the time.”

She asked domestic arrivals to abide by PCR testing and a fully vaccinated status, despite it being “physically impossible” for police to check every arrival.

People reuniting with family after border restrictions were lifted overnight. Picture: Brad Fleet

In the lead up to Friday’s vaccination mandate, she also asked tourists to abide by vaccination rules when dining in.

“Families with children want to know that they can go into a cafe or restaurant knowing everyone is fully vaccinated,” she said.

On the historic day for the state, the Premier said she was “incredibly proud” of Queenslander civilians, health care workers and the police force for their effort keeping the virus out across the past two years.

“People here have been able to go to school, to work, and we have had relatively few lockdowns.”