Covid Gold Coast: Everything you need to know about border changes
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Queensland’s border is to reopen earlier than expected, with the state on the verge of having 80 per cent fully vaccinated. FULL DETAILS >>>
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PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that the border will reopen to fully vaccinated travellers on Monday next week – four days earlier than the December 17 target date.
Speaking in Brisbane, Ms Palaszczuk said the date has been brought forward to 1am Monday December 13.
Travellers from interstate hot spots must have a negative Covid-19 test in the 72 hours prior to arriving, be fully vaccinated for one week before arriving in Queensland and get a test on day five after their arrival.
Tests will not be required for border zone residents, who will be able to move freely within the bubble provided they are fully vaccinated and have a border pass.
“It is clear we will reach our target of 80% fully vaccinated much sooner although exactly when is difficult to predict,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Nominating a time and date provides travellers and business with certainty to make their plans and comes four days early.”
The move comes as Queensland sits on the verge of reaching 80 per cent of the population fully vaccinated – with 78.67 per cent now double dosed.
Ms Palaszczuk said she “could not be more proud as Premier” that so many Queenslanders had been vaccinated, and said it was not her intention to close the border again.
Ms Palaszczuk said the 80 per cent milestone would be reached some time this week. She said 90 per cent of Queenslanders were expected to receive their first dose by the end of the month, and be fully vaccinated by mid-January.
Ms Palaszczuk also announced that Queensland had recorded no new locally transmitted of Covid-19. Three cases were recorded in hotel quarantine – two from interstate travellers and one from overseas.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitkens said it was particularly good news that no new cases had been recorded on the Gold Coast.
Dr Aitken said test results were back from 89 of 92 residents of a Gold Coast aged care home where a staff member tested positive last Friday. All 89 results were negative.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll warned of delays at border crossings when restrictions lift on Monday.
“The QPS has undergone extensive planning and preparation ahead of the border restrictions easing,” Ms Carroll said.
“It’s a massive milestone for people so we’re expecting a lot of people to be travelling into Queensland.
“As a result we’re expecting extensive delays. So I need everyone to plan ahead and pack their patience.”
Ms Carroll said that everyone travelling into Queensland should have a border pass that is “clearly displayed and easy to see”.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said from December 17 only fully vaccinated people will be permitted to enter pubs, clubs, cinemas, festivals and theme parks and visit vulnerable settings such as hospitals and aged care accommodation.
Ms D’Ath said it was a matter of when, not if, the virus began circulating more widely in Queensland.
“We know COVID is coming, we know cases numbers will rise, but we can be as protected as possible by being fully vaccinated,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Please make it a priority to protect yourself. The vaccine is safe, effective and free.”
Mayor Tom Tate said the state government’s announcement was an “early Christmas present” for the Gold Coast.
“Every day counts in business so it is great that we will get to welcome back interstate tourism – and returning family members – on that day (December 13),” he said.
“Based on how vaccination rates were tracking back in October, I initially urged the Premier to open as early as December 1.
“I recall criticism from some quarters over that request but either way, I’m just pleased that we are opening earlier than originally mooted.”
Cr Tate said he hoped to see a permanent end to border barriers.
“Based on the way vaccination numbers are tracking, the State should hit the 90 per cent double vaccination target by January 19, 2022,” he said.
“That should be the end to travel restrictions for both domestic and international travellers and the end to border barriers forever.”
Cr Tate added that Gold Coasters who had not yet been vaccinated should roll up their sleeves.
“The message is now very clear for everyone who is yet to get vaccinated: the borders are opening, the virus will make its way into our city and the unvaccinated face a much higher risk of contracting the virus, passing it on and becoming very sick,” Cr Tate said.
“Now is the time to roll up your sleeves so you protect yourself and your loved ones.
“There will be ongoing restrictions on those who are unvaccinated so if you truly want your freedom back, now is the time.’’
Village Roadshow Theme Parks Chief Operating Officer Bikash Randhawa said the announcement was “a great day”.
“After nearly two years, and after all we have gone through as a city, as businesses, as people that live and breathe tourism, this is now an opportunity for us to shine and do what we do best,” Mr Randhawa said.
“It certainly feels like the end is near.
“We cannot wait to welcome travellers back into our properties. It is a great day for us.”
Mr Randhawa said Village had no concerns about managing vaccination requirements at its theme parks.
“We always work very closely with Queensland Health,” he said. “We have managed far more complex situations quite effectively and the onus is on individuals to do the right thing.”
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the early opening was positive news for businesses and families.
“To know we’ll be open on the 13th rather than December 17 gives our visitors certainty to travel,” she said
“More importantly many families and friends who want to reconnect can book ahead and come to the Gold Coast.
“Our industry is ready to roll out the welcome mat after a heartbreaking 18 months.”
PREVIOUSLY: BORDER WALL TO COME CRASHING DOWN
QUEENSLAND’s border wall will come crashing down this week with the state on the verge of reaching 80 per cent of the population double-jabbed for Covid.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will on Monday reveal when Queensland will reopen to the rest of the country but it is now certain to be earlier than December 17, when first scheduled.
The latest data shows 78.17 per cent of the state is fully vaccinated.
“We’ll have updated figures tomorrow which will show when we’re expected to hit that 80 per cent (fully vaccinated), so we’ll be very closely watching those numbers over today,” she said on Sunday.
She is under pressure from political and business leaders to immediately reopen once 80 per cent is reached, despite uncertainty surrounding new Covid cases recorded on the Gold Coast at the weekend.
Mayor Tom Tate said the public was ready: “I’ve always said that we have to make a decision on scientific facts and as we come to live with Covid, and 80 per cent is the rate, it’s not about a date.
“We need to let people know now so they have certainty and with that comes confidence and hope and given we are hitting 80 per cent on a certain day this week, by that evening I would want (the government to send) whatever resources necessary to pull the wall down that night.
“There will be more cases here, that’s a scientific fact but we have to live with it and once they’re down, the border walls should never be coming back.”
Cr Tate said his attention was turning to the state hitting 90 per cent double-jabbed, the rate required to allow international travel to resume.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce boss Martin Hall said businesses were stocked and eagerly awaiting the return of tourists for Christmas.
Data released on Sunday showed 87.2 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have had their first dose of Covid vaccine
No new local Covid cases were detected on Sunday, while six people already in quarantine tested positive for the virus, having come from interstate or from the Philippines via Singapore.
Residents of an aged care home in Mudgeeraba were being tested for Covid-19 after a staff member contracted the virus.
Visitors have also been banned at Carinity Cedarbrook Residential Care in Mudgeeraba and strict Covid-19 protocols enacted, with staff caring for residents wearing full PPE.
Acting chief health officer Dr Peter Aitken said genomic testing had linked a positive case in a Gold Coast aged care worker announced on Saturday to another case, a man who travelled to Robina Town Centre, announced last week.
Authorities still don’t know, however, where the man who visited Robina Town Centre acquired Covid from.
Dr Aitken called on any Queenslander with symptoms, especially those on the Gold Coast, to come forward and get tested.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath confirmed all of the staff at the aged care facility were fully vaccinated and over 90 per cent of the residents were fully vaccinated.
“We are still seeking the source which means there could be more community transmission on the Gold Coast,” she said on Saturday.
Visitors banned, urgent testing at Coast aged care home
RESIDENTS of an aged care home in Mudgeeraba are being tested for Covid-19 after a staff member contracted the virus.
Visitors are have also been banned at Carinity Cedarbrook Residential Care in Mudgeeraba and strict Covid-19 protocols enacted, with staff caring for residents wearing full PPE.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath told a press conference on Saturday that urgent testing was being carried out at the home after reporting seven new cases in Queensland, including a Gold Coast couple believed to have been infectious in the community.
“We have a couple from the Gold Coast who have been infectious in the community for up to 13 days,” Ms D’Ath said.
“One of those people work at a private aged care facility.
“All of the staff (at that facility) are fully vaccinated and over 90% of the residents are fully vaccinated.
“We are testing everyone in that centre today and we are not moving anyone from that site at this point.”
Ms D’Ath said the couple who tested positive were linked to a case recorded on the Gold Coast on Wednesday – although the source of all three cases remains unknown.
“We still don’t know where the original source is,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The two people that we’re reporting on today it appears could be the source of the other person’s infection.
“They have been at a meeting together however we still don’t know where this couple have acquired it from.
“We are still seeking the source which means there could me more community transmission on the Gold Coast.”
Ms D’Ath said 83 per cent of people on the Gold Coast have had their first vaccination dose and 73.8 per cent their second.
The Gold Coast Public Health Unit (GCPHU) said urgent testing was being carried out at the Carinity facility.
“The unit has been notified of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19 that attended the Residential Care Facility while contagious,” they said in a statement.
“Staff from GCPHU will be conducting a public health risk assessment to limit the spread of the disease and minimise the impact on residents, their families, the workforce and the broader community.
“GCPHU staff will support the management of the Facility to implement appropriate infection control, other measures and undertake contact tracing while will include residents and staff as well as visitors and contractors to the facility.”
In a statement, Carinity said precautionary measures had been put in place at the centre following news of the positive case.
“An employee at the Carinity Cedarbrook aged care community in Mudgeeraba
has tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement said.
“The fully vaccinated staff member, who had no COVID-19 symptoms, was notified on Friday 3 December that they had been in contact with a person who tested positive to the virus. The employee left the aged care community for testing immediately.
“Queensland Health and the families of residents were also notified.
“Precautionary COVID-19 response procedures including ceasing non-essential visits and limiting resident movement throughout the community were also enacted.
“Residents are being closely monitored for any COVID-19 symptoms. All residents and staff are undergoing COVID-19 testing under the direction of Queensland Health.
“Staff will continue providing care to residents using full personal protective equipment (PPE). Any staff member that displays symptoms of the virus will cease their shift immediately.
“Carinity’s number one priority is providing a safe home for our residents and a safe workplace for our team.
“We will provide regular updates to the families of residents and Carinity staff until we are confident any COVID-19 risk has been controlled within the Carinity Cedarbrook community.”
Ms D’Ath also announced on Saturday that Adelaide had been declared a hot spot – with anyone arriving from the South Australian capital to be forced into hotel quarantine from 1am tonight.
“Anyone who has been in Greater Adelaide since 1am on the 28th of November who arrives in Queensland after 1am tomorrow will be required to go into 14 days mandatory home or hotel quarantine,” Ms D’Ath said.
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