Explained: What you need to know about the border bubble

EXPLAINED: The border closure is much stricter this time, with border zone residents only allowed into Queensland for “essential” reasons, and in some cases, you need to apply for exemptions. We take a close look at the rules.

A hard border closure between NSW and Queensland will come into effect at 1am on Friday, July 23. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

What we know so far:

• The QLD border will close at 1am on Friday, July 23

• A border zone bubble will be activated to cover Northern NSW residents, who will be allowed to travel to QLD for essential reasons only – listed below (this is changing rapidly, check the QLD Health website for more)

• Quarantine measures will apply to those travelling outside the border bubble in NSW

• Border passes are required when travelling to QLD.

The news Queensland will close to NSW amid growing Covid-19 numbers has shocked and disheartened Northern Rivers residents

A border zone bubble will be activated to cover Northern NSW residents for essential reasons, effective from 1am on Friday July 23.

Here’s what that means:

HOW BIG IS THE BUBBLE?

The border zone extends down to Clarence Valley and west to Broken Hill.

The border zone does not include Coffs Harbour due to a current cluster, according to Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles.

“We won’t include Coffs Harbour because there are some risks there,” he told media on Thursday.

At this point, NSW border residents can travel for essential purposes across all of Queensland, for example, a NSW border zone resident could travel to Cairns to take care of a sick family member.

BORDER EXEMPTIONS

NSW border zone residents can only cross the border for four main permitted purposes, and vice versa for Queensland residents.

These essential reasons are work, school, essential shopping and medical reasons, according to chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young.

“People in the Tweed of course, they’ve got all got local shops there, they can manage that,” she said.

“People should not be crossing the border for social reasons, not to come to restaurants … not to come to cinemas, not to come to football matches.

“People on the border will be fully aware of the types of things sensible to cross the border for.”

Essential exemptions include:

– to get food or other goods or services

– access medical or health care or get medical supplies

– get a COVID-19 vaccine

– get a COVID-19 test

– work

– volunteer

– provide assistance, care or support to a family member or to fulfil other caring responsibilities

– attend any court or tribunal of Australia

– attend a childcare facility, school, university, or other educational institution

– take a child attending organised sport

– avoid injury or illness

– escape a risk of harm

– escape an emergency situation

You can stay overnight as needed for one of the above reasons.

You cannot cross the border for these reasons:

– weddings and funerals, unless they have an approved exemption which includes a Covid safe plan.

Exemptions can be applied for here.

– exercise unless organised team sport that they would usually participate in

– visit friends or family for reasons not listed above

-holiday

– be a spectator at a professional sporting event

– attend the cinema

– go to a theme park or other tourist experiences.

BORDER PASSES AND CROSSING

Border blockades will be erected imminently.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said travellers could continue to use the existing travel pass until the new border declaration was activated.

“When we do first implement this, it does get very congested,” he said.

You can access a travel pass here. 

You must complete the Queensland Travel Declaration in the three days before you travel to Queensland.

It is valid for 14 days.

NSW still has a border pass in place for those travelling to Queensland, if you’re entering after June 30, 2021.

You must complete the form:

– either within the 24 hour period before you enter NSW or on entry

– whether you cross the border by any means including air, road or rail

– each time you enter NSW, but not more than once every 72 hours

You can access it here.

QUARANTINE

NSW border zone residents and Queensland residents cannot travel outside the border zone in NSW and then enter Queensland.

They must wait 14 days before entering Queensland.

Those Queenslanders returning home after 1am on Friday, July 23 will undergo compulsory hotel quarantine.