‘Sydney day trips out of question’: Premier’s admission amid PCR test squabble

Annastacia Palaszczuk has again hit back at criticism of Queensland’s PCR test policy but admits short trips into NSW will be out of the question until the state hits 90 per cent double-dose vaccination.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hit back at criticism of Queensland’s PCR testing mandate saying it was the most effective way of keeping Covid-19 out of Queensland.

But she’s warned daytrips to hotspots are ‘out of the question’ while the rule is in place.

Speaking on the Gold Coast, Ms Palaszczuk said there was one new case of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, detected in hotel quarantine.

Ms Palaszczuk said she was disappointed in criticism of Queensland’s test mandate for arrivals from hot spots, accusing some of playing politics.

“I’ll let Greg Hunt look after his job and I’ll do my job,” she said.

“Now is not the time to fight, now is the time to work together.”

The Federal Health Minister intervened with a strongly-worded letter to his state counterpart Yvette D’Ath on Monday night raising concerns about the policy.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has provided a Covid-19 update on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Ms Palaszczuk said the tests were not unique to Queensland and they were highly effective in detecting the virus.

She said the federal government needed to make PCR tests a Medicare rebate, and that decision needed to be made at national cabinet.

She said Mr Hunt could make it a Medicare rebate “with the stroke of a pen”.

“It is about keeping the rest of Queensland safe and it is a temporary measure until we get to 90 per cent double dosed – and we are getting there.”

Ms Palaszczuk said if someone came in without a PCR test and had Covid, it would “spread like wildfire” through the unvaccinated population.

“It’d be a huge risk. It would have devastating impact on our local economy and would have a devastating impact on our tourist hot spots,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said ‘going to Sydney for a day or two would be out of the question’ until we got to 90 per cent double dosed.

A total of 7929 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

More than 84 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have now received their first dose and 73.42 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was “great news” to see Queensland heading towards 80 per cent.

Ms Palaszczuk said she was still concerned about the area’s vaccination rate, which stands at 84.1 per cent first dose.

“We really need the Gold Coast vaccination rate to increase because they are so close to the border,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said that Brisbane east and Brisbane west are both at 90 per cent first dose.

Acting chief health officer Dr Peter Aiken said that the new case in hotel quarantine was overseas acquired and is fully vaccinated.

He said that they may have been infected on the flight but were working through the usual procedure.

Earlier today, Ms D’ath said it would be “pretty irresponsible” for Queensland to lower its entry requirements by allowing rapid antigen testing.

“It would be pretty irresponsible to open up when still so many people are unvaccinated,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said the federal government should use Medicare to subsidise private pathologists to make the PCR tests less of a burden for returning Queenslanders and those wishing to visit the state.

 “This is something that the Morrison government should seriously turn its mind to,” Ms D’Ath said.