‘I’m nervous’: Worker scared of losing job as border closes
THE Queensland woman commutes daily to Byron Bay for work.
Lismore
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AS THE Queensland border prepares to slam shut to NSW and ACT residents this weekend, one Gold Coast woman worries she won't be able to get to work in Byron Bay on Monday.
Restrictions start at 1am on Saturday at the border, forcing anyone without an exemption to quarantine for 14-days in a hotel at their own expense.
This includes Queenslanders, which varies from the last time the border was shut when they could freely cross state lines without any issue.
The Queensland Government has indicated it will provide exemptions for border communities but it is yet to clarify the boundary of that exemption.
With that uncertainty, the 27-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, said she doesn't know whether she'll be able to get to work on Monday, as she commutes daily to Byron Bay from Miami on the Gold Coast.
"I'm pretty nervous about it all as I don't want to loose my job," she said.
"I'm glad the borders are being more controlled as we can see what has happened in the other states.
"I think we all need to ensure we're doing our part to get through this as smoothly as possible.
"But I hate when they don't say anything and then leave it 'til the last minute."
The woman said she is yet to discuss with her employer what will happen if she can't cross the border.
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"It hasn't been discussed as last time the borders closed I was still eligible to get through," she said.
"It would be a huge hit financially, however I am grateful I have a great support network around me.
"I just don't know whether to risk going to work on Monday and not get back in."
The Queensland Government is expected to make further announcements on who will be exempt from the border closures today.