NSW and Victorian travellers could be hit with $150 PCR test cost to cross Qld border

A new rule could cost NSW and Victorians hoping for a trip to Queensland up to $150 extra per person once the state reopens its borders.

Holiday-starved tourists from NSW and Victoria could be forced to shell out $150 for a Covid PCR test if they hope to cross the Queensland border.

The Sunshine State will reopen to quarantine-free travel from hotspot areas once its residents are 80 per cent fully vaccinated, which is expected within the next month.

Under current rules, people from Victoria and NSW will have to be double-jabbed and produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arriving in Queensland.

PCR tests are not yet available from public testing sites and typically cost upwards of $150, according to testing company Australian Clinical Labs.

NSW and Victorian travellers to the Gold Coast could be hit with harsh testing fees.

The steep price tag means a family of four could be forced to pay an additional $600 for Covid testing if travelling to Queensland during the Christmas period.

Border passes will also be required until the state reaches at least 90 per cent fully vaccinated.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stood firm in her harsh border stance on Monday, reminding hot spot travellers they must foot the bill for PCR tests before entering Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk also said Queensland could hit its 80 per cent fully vaccinated target earlier than the expected date of December 17.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced changes to Queensland’s border on Monday.

“It could come a week earlier, but I don’t want to get people’s hopes up,” she said.

It comes as Queensland partially opened its border to fully vaccinated travellers NSW and Victoria on Monday night.

However, each will have to undertake 14 days in home quarantine, produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours and arrive in the state by air.

Seventy per cent of Queenslanders aged 16 and above are now double-dosed, while 82 per cent of residents have received their first vaccine dose.

Originally published as NSW and Victorian travellers could be hit with $150 PCR test cost to cross Qld border