What does the Northern NSW bubble mean for your travel plans into Queensland?

Queensland Health has revealed when Northern NSW residents may need to fill out a form, and when they will not be required to.

Update 2pm: The Queensland Government has announced a travel declaration “traffic light” system for people entering the Sunshine State from 1am Saturday, June 19.

James McTavish, NSW Cross-Border Commissioner said the type of Queensland Travel Declaration you need depends on where you have been in the last 14 days and your circumstances.

“Residents of the cross-border zone (blue on the map) have different conditions,” he said.

“(For those who need to) They must complete the Queensland Travel Declaration up to three days prior to your arrival into Queensland.

“The form should take about three minutes to complete and the declaration will be issued immediately via email.”

Queensland resident must also complete a Queensland travel declaration if they are returning from interstate or New Zealand.

“This is aligned with the traffic light system that has been in place in Victoria for some time, and is similar to the declaration system NSW has also used during periods of community transmission in other states,” Mr McTavish said.

Original story: Northern NSW residents from Tweed to Coffs Harbour, including the Northern Rivers and Grafton, will not require a border declaration if entering Queensland by road ‒ in most cases.

The Sunshine State, which recorded a handful of new cases this month, is demanding anyone travelling to Queensland must complete a travel declaration.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it will come into place from 1am, Saturday June 19.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said a cross-border zone would be re-established so those living close to the QLD-NSW border wouldn’t need to complete multiple travel declarations.

“We know there are a number of people living close to the Queensland border who either work or access important services regularly in Queensland or in northern New South Wales,” she said.

“We want to ensure they can continue to do that without making a declaration each time they cross the border, so we’ve established a border zone to cater for those situations.”

From the Tweed to Coffs Harbour, residents will be able to enter Queensland without having to complete a travel declaration if they enter Queensland by road and have not been to an interstate exposure venue or COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days.

People in the Tenterfield, Kyogle, Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Glen Innes, Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour areas, plus other inland councils, will be able to enter Queensland without having to complete a travel declaration if they were a Queensland or New South Wales Border zone resident if:

• They has only been in the New South Wales border zone or Queensland in the last 14 days.
• They won’t need a declaration if they entered Queensland by road. Those who enter by air or sea will need to make a declaration.
• They have not been to an interstate exposure venue or COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. If they have, they will need to complete a declaration).

Further details and the travel declaration can be obtained from the Queensland Government’s website.

For more information, call 134 Covid (13 42 68).

Jane Laverty, regional manager Northern Rivers at Business NSW, said she was pleased the blue zone will be reinstated.

“I am pleased that they have given consideration to the needs of our cross border relationship and the necessity for minimal impact to businesses at what is still a challenging time for many.”

Tweed MP Geoff Provest was happy with the news.

“This is the 19th time we have a border announcement from the Queensland Government in a year and a half, hopefully we will have more details faster than in previous occasions,” he said.