How do I cross the border into NSW from Queensland, and when do I need to get tested by?

Queensland is set to reopen to both road and air travellers – meaning Gold Coasters can head south of the border – from December 13 at 1am. Here’s what you need to know.

Queensland is set to reopen to both road and air travellers – meaning Gold Coasters can head south of the border – from December 13 at 1am.

Travel is limited to those who are fully vaccinated, and those who have acquired a negative Covid-19 test in the previous 72 hours.

However, if travellers are Covid positive, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has previously said travellers will need to quarantine in the state they contract coronavirus.

HOW TO CROSS THE BORDER:

Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

All arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, must get another Covid-19 test on day 5 after they arrive in Queensland. However this is subject to change.

People arriving in Queensland from hot spots who are not fully vaccinated must arrive by air and hotel quarantine for 14 days.

International arrivals must be fully vaccinated, return a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure, and will have to do 14 days of home or hotel quarantine.

Fully vaccinated border zone residents with a border pass will be able to move freely across the border, no test required.

Border zone residents who are not fully vaccinated will only be able to cross the border for limited reasons, as is the case now.

PROBLEMS WITH BORDER CROSSING:

Tweed Shire councillor James Owen has called on the Queensland state government to make changes to the border checkpoint ahead of reopening – which police say could see travellers stuck for up to three hours.

He says there needs to be a better system in place.

“Queensland needs to implement a better system than the one currently in place to minimise the anticipated huge queues at the border checkpoints, and the resulting gridlock on Tweed shire streets, come December 13 when Queensland border restrictions are relaxed,” Mr Owen said.

Tweed Shire councillor James Owen. Picture: Liana Walker

“With checkpoints likely to remain until Queensland reaches their 90 per cent double dose vaccination target, our Tweed Shire border community need QLD to implement a solution, as a matter of urgency, to alleviate the expected congestion and chaos.

Major concerns from border residents include: people, including frontline workers, being late for work, people running late for, and missing, important medical appointments and children being late to school, including those stuck on school buses.

Cr Owen said he fears Tweed streets will become gridlocked – including residential streets.

“I have approached the (Queensland state) government on numerous occasions requesting a pass and dedicated checkpoint for locals, however, to date, neither of these have been implemented,” he said.