Gold Coast residents will need permit to return from NSW, must self-isolate if they’ve visited hot spots

Gold Coasters have been warned they’ll need to self-quarantine for 14 days if they visit any of these coronavirus hot spots over Easter.

GOLD COAST residents who cross the border into NSW will not be able to return unless they have a permit under strict new measures which will come into play midnight tonight.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said all Queenslanders wishing to cross back into the state will require a border pass.

They will also be questioned about their movements and required to self-quarantine for 14 days if they’ve been to known coronavirus hot spots.

The new restrictions follow complaints from Northern NSW councils, including Tweed shire, about Gold Coast surfers flaunting non-essential travel rules.

In a statement released today Queenslanders travelling to the below “coronavirus hot spots” will have to quarantine for 14 days on their return to the state.

“So, a very strong message today - Queenslanders, let’s do the right thing, stay in Queensland and stay in your suburb,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“So let’s not put all of our good work at risk. You should not be travelling,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hosting a disaster co-ordination meeting in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

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The Premier said further restrictions were on the cards.

“We are not ruling out further measures into the future, so you do not want to get caught across the border,” she said.

“Stay in your state, stay in your region as much as possible.”

State Disaster Co-ordinator Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the new system with the borders means any person coming into Queensland will need to have a border pass.

“They need to have the exemptions to come back into this state,” he said.

There is no change to interstate freight rules.

“The key difference is, if you are a Queenslander returning you will require a border pass,” Gollschewski said. “If you are coming from a declared hotspot, you will be placed in 14 day quarantine. No exemptions.”