Covid-19 Qld: Two new community cases reported on the Gold Coast and Warwick

Two new coronavirus cases have cropped up in Queensland as the Sunshine State struggles to lift the vaccination rate.

Two new local cases of Covid have cropped up in Queensland, one of which came across the border from Moree and has been in the community for 10 days.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday reported three new cases had been uncovered overnight – including one fully vaccinated person from Melbourne in hotel quarantine – and two community cases.

One of those is an unvaccinated first nations person from Warwick who attended an event in the northern NSW town of Moree, and who has been in the community for 10 days. The Warwick RSL club and Condamine Sports Club have been listed as exposure sites.

The other is a mystery case on the Gold Coast, with that 32-year-old from Pacific Pines having had one dose of the vaccine. He was in the community for up to six days.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned that outbreaks such as these would become more common as restrictions increasingly begin to ease over the coming months.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday reported two community cases of the coronavirus. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jono Searle

Wednesday’s update comes after the state government unveiled new laws that threaten fines and bans from pubs, stadiums, cafes, cinemas and aged care homes if a visitor has not had two jabs.

That laws come into effect when Queensland’s borders reopen to fully vaccinated people on December 17.

United Australia Party chairman Clive Palmer has, however, threatened to take state government to court over the mandate.

Rich-lister Phillip Di Bella, who runs the Coffee Commune in Bowen Hills, also says he will not “discriminate” against unvaccinated customers.

Meanwhile, Queensland is still a fraction behind the 80 per cent first dose milestone that will herald the easing of mask mandates at venues and public settings.

The Queensland border will reopen to fully vaccinated outsiders on December 17, which is when the state is expected to hit the 80 per cent double-dose mark.

Ms Palaszczuk expects that mark to be hit on Thursday morning.

The state has 67.8 per cent of people fully vaccinated, a rate that is ahead of only Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

When Queensland hits 70 per cent double dosed - a milestone that is expected to be reached on November 19 - travellers will be able to fly in and complete home quarantine.

The borders will reopen to fully vaccinated outsiders on December 17, which is when the state is expected to hit the 80 per cent double-dose mark.

Originally published as Covid-19 Qld: Two new community cases reported on the Gold Coast and Warwick