Coronavirus Gold Coast: State Government announces partial reopening of border

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced major changes to social distancing measures as well as when the borders will reopen.

THE NSW border will be opened from July 10 while Victoria will be locked off from Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk today announced her government’s position on the reopening the Queensland-NSW border on July 10.

The government’s decision was made against a backdrop of Victoria recording a second wave of coronavirus and rapidly changing public opinion.

The only consistent voice has been battling Gold Coast businesses calling for an immediate opening of the border so interstate tourism traffic can arrive for the remainder of the school holidays.

‘RIDICULOUS’: PASSENGER’S SHOCK OVER PACKED FLIGHT

Police are seen directing cars from New South Wales that enter Queensland on the Gold Coast Photo: Glenn Hunt

REVEALED: GOLD COAST’S 10 BIGGEST NEW DEVELOPMENTS

But authorities have been increasingly nervous about Victoria which continues to records high numbers of community transmissions — 74 of the 75 cases on Monday were acquired locally.

Chief health officer Jeanette Young today made her end-of-month recommendations to Ms Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles.

The Premier has been under pressure for a July reopening after admitting in early May that the border might not open until September.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, Parliament House, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston

SUNS ARE ‘TAILOR-MADE’ FOR HUB LIFE

Ms Palaszczuk at a media conference said she had “very deep concerns” about the Victorian situation.

She confirmed restrictions against Victoria would be strengthened.

The Premier said she had “Large concerns about the state of Victoria”, warning there had been 250 cases in seven days including 64 in the past 24 hours.

“There is community transmission,” she said

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today admitted her state’s residents were “starting to relax a little too much” for her liking but maintained her government would not shut the NSW-Victoria border.

NSW reported five new COVID-19 cases — all in hotel quarantine — in the 24 hours

to 8pm on Monday from just under 13,000 tests.

“Things can change very quickly in terms of the rate of community transmission — I have noticed in and around my movements that people are starting to relax a little bit too much for my liking. Don’t relax,” Ms Berejiklian said.

South Australia is moving to stage three of lifting of coronavirus restrictions but Premier Steven Marshall revealed the proposed opening of the State border with Victoria in three weeks’ time was now “under a cloud”.

The main street of Coolangatta on the Queensland-New South Wales border. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

In another sign of rising concerns, the first flight between Australia and New Zealand was delayed today due to “the nature of the return of the virus into Melbourne”.

A charter flight was to have taken off from Canberra to Wellington but airport bosses had a rethink and pushed back their schedule after discussions with governments.

Many Queenslanders have had a similar change of thoughts on COVID-19 restrictions.

Coast businesses want the borders open but statewide polling in recent weeks has revealed a change of thought — 84 per cent of people surveyed three weeks ago wanted a lifting of restrictions but this enthusiasm has dropped with 51 per cent now wanting the border closed.

Queensland Tourism Industry chief executive Daniel Gschwind has admitted the Victoria’s situation was not ideal but had urged for border openings.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Queenslanders would lose more jobs unless the borders were opened.

Police are seen directing cars from New South Wales that enter Queensland on the Gold Coast Photo: Glenn Hunt

A Bulletin report in June warned the Coast would lose more than $1.2 billion in interstate tourism revenue in the next three months during winter unless the border was opened.

Research confirmed the Coast before COVID-19 had recovered from bushfires in the hinterland in September last year.

Tourism and Events Queensland research showed the 86 per cent of arrivals to the Glitter Strip were from the two southern states.