Tweed MP Geoff Provest says if the Qld border does close again a ‘bubble’ would be the best option

Queensland authorities have said they won’t close the border with NSW for now, but this situation could quickly change, especially if Covid-19 spreads outside of the locked down areas.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

While the Queensland government has said there would be no border closure with New South Wales at this stage, Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he’s hopeful the border bubble would be retained if that situation changes.

NSW recorded 112 new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, although they were all within the lockdown zone of Greater Sydney.

Queensland has recorded no new locally acquired cases in the same period and while Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there were no immediate plans to close the border, she had advised Queenslanders in NSW to consider returning home.

Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young has said the border situation would likely change if Covid-19 cases spread outside of the locked down area.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and chief health officer Jeannette Young at a recent media conference. Picture: Brad Fleet

Northern NSW Local Health District has not had a locally-acquired case for months.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest recently returned from Sydney after two weeks in quarantine there.

He said if things change for regional NSW, he hopes there would still be provisions in place for border communities.

“The cross-border commissioner has been very active in that area and is in constant consultation with the Queensland authorities to keep the border bubble,” Mr Provest said.

“I’m very hopeful of that although I am concerned; if you look at the Victorian model, they warned about three days in advance for all Victorians to get back home and then they had a hard shutdown.

“I think the real concern is if there’s any outbreaks or any virus detected.”

A long queue of motorists entering Queensland from New South Wales through the border checkpoint on in Coolangatta on December 21, 2020. Picture: Regi Varghese/Getty Images

He said the current restrictions in place for all of regional NSW were reasonable.

“I think the reality really sets in when you’re in isolation for 14 days in a hotel room,” he said.

“We are very lucky here.

“Life has roughly continued on here.

“(Using a) QR code and wearing a mask isn’t such an onerous thing to do.

“It’s not much to ask in these particular times.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Brad Fleet

During a press conference on Monday, Dr Young said an “enormous amount of testing in NSW” was helping to keep borders open.

As well as an outbreak outside of the lockdown area, she said if the NSW government reset its restrictions or eased them without a drop in cases, this would be a cause for concern.

Mr Provest urged locals to roll up their sleeves.

“The more people get vaccinated, the stronger our case is to remain in the bubble,” he said.

Regional NSW residents still need a border declaration to enter Queensland, and to return to NSW.