Queensland Health has hinted fully vaccinated border residents may be able to cross into NSW

Gold Coast travellers who cross the NSW border from December 17 will still have to undertake a PCR test no more than 72 hours before returning – but it will be free.

Gold Coast travellers who cross the NSW border from December 17 will still have to undertake a PCR test no more than 72 hours before returning, but it will be free.

Late on Tuesday evening Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters:

“The Commonwealth and states jointly fund 50/50 tests for… people who require a test as a result of state or territory health order.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the commitment to fund PCR tests required to enter Queensland from interstate hotspots.

“I said we work best when we work together,” the Premier said. “This proves it.”

The Premier said the decision is a major win for common sense.

“Minister Hunt says the charge for a PCR test was only when a certificate is required,” the Premier said.

“Queensland made it plain weeks ago that the text message most people receive after a test is acceptable.”

The Premier said the confusion over the PCR requirement and its cost did not originate from her government.

“I am pleased this victory has occurred and people can look forward to being re-united in time for Christmas – without additional cost – as my government had always planned.”

EARLIER, November 24

Queensland Health has hinted it may bow to public pressure and allow vaccinated travellers entering from NSW border zones to skip out on an expensive Covid-19 test.

Currently, once the state reaches its 80 per cent double dose rate around December 17, the state government requires travellers from a hotspot (currently all of NSW and Victoria) to fork out $145 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nose swab test no more than 72 hours before arriving.

SEE BELOW FOR OUR FULL Q&A ON BORDER CROSSINGS

The Queensland/NSW border. Picture: NCA Newswire / Scott Powick

The Bulletin asked 15 questions relating to the rules for the thousands of Gold Coast holiday-makers who travel to NSW during the Christmas/New Year period, including whether vaccinated holiday-makers who returned from a holiday in a NSW border zone would have to take a PCR test.

Instead of replying to each question individually, a Queensland Health spokesman said:

“There will be a border zone in place to ensure all border zone residents, regardless of vaccination status, can continue to enter Queensland for essential purposes once the border opens in December, without the need to meet the traveller testing requirements,” he said.

“There may be fewer testing requirements for fully vaccinated people entering the border zone or entering Queensland from the border zone for non-essential reasons.

SEE HOW TO TRAVEL INTERSTATE AND WHAT’S REQUIRED

“We are continuing to work through the specific requirements for the 80 per cent vaccination milestone. Detailed information will be made public when available.”

However in a press conference today, Premier Annastacia hit back at criticism of Queensland’s PCR test policy and said short trips into NSW would be out of the question until the state hits 90 per cent double-dose vaccination.

It comes as hundreds of Gold Coast families weigh up whether it’s worth leaving the state to holiday in NSW, with most thinking it’s not if they face the possibility of being locked out or have to spend hundreds on tests.

“We usually spend 10 days camping near Byron Bay, but if there’s a chance the area becomes a hot spot and I have to quarantine to get back in and miss starting back at work, I’m not doing it,” said one unhappy Gold Coast camper.

The man, who did not want to be named, said the feeling among most holiday-makers he knew was that there was no point in leaving the state, only to be made to “fork out hundreds” for a test or be forced into home quarantine.

“We’re a family of six, does that mean it will cost us $870 just to re-enter our home state,” he said.

“The Premier has well and truly stuffed us again. We were able to camp in northern NSW area in 2020 when no one was vaccinated, these rules defy logic.”

On Sunday, acting chief health officer Peter Aitken said PCR tests, the only acceptable ones to enter Queensland, were not covered by Medicare.

Dr Aitken said with only four active cases in the state, the state remained at a place where it still wanted to be able to identify every case.

This is despite Gold Coast Health telling staff earlier this month they should brace for up to 16,000 Covid cases in the six months “after the virus starts circulating”, with nearly 600 hospitalised, 98 in the Intensive Care Unit and 87 deaths.

Earlier today, Ms D’ath said it would be “pretty irresponsible” for Queensland to lower its entry requirements by allowing rapid antigen testing.

“It would be pretty irresponsible to open up when still so many people are unvaccinated,” she said.

One new case of Covid-19 was detected today in hotel quarantine.

Rules for holiday makers crossing the NSW/QLD border from December 17

1. If I were to travel from Queensland to a holiday camping spot in Lennox Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Evans Head etc. would I need to have a PCR test, costing $145, on my way back into Qld?

At this stage yes, but it will be free. However, Queensland Health has said there “may be fewer testing requirements for fully vaccinated people entering the border zone or entering Queensland from the border zone for non-essential reasons”.

2. Is this Covid-19 test the rapid one, and does it cost $150? Are there any Medicare rebates on this?

The cost of the test will be covered by the state and federal governments. Queensland requires a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and this is a nose swab that tests for Covid-19 through analysing upper respiratory specimen. The less reliable rapid antigen test is reportedly only 70 per cent as effective. These are now free for travellers.

3. Where will I be able to get these tests? How quick is the turnaround on results?

PCR tests for travellers are available at NSW public health facilities.

4. Will my children have to also have a Covid-19 test before re-entering Queensland after a holiday? Is there a specific age?

Yes, all children will also be required to return at negative PCR test, but Queensland Health is considering exemptions for babies under 12 months.

5. If one of my children tests positive but the rest of us are negative, do we all have to quarantine? And will this be at home or hotel?

Yes you will all be required to quarantine, depending on how sick everyone is.

6. What if I have to return from NSW to Queensland urgently for a sick family member or funeral? Will I be able to apply for an exemption from having a PCR test?

Queensland Health has not answered this question, but going by previous decisions, it’s unlikely an exemption will be given to people returning from a hotspot.

7. Will there be a travel bubble for border residents who travel to northern NSW and then return, where is the boundary for this?

There will be a border zone in place to ensure all border zone residents, regardless of vaccination status. Those people can continue to enter Queensland for essential purposes once the border opens in December, without the need to meet the traveller testing requirements.

Below are non-restricted border zone areas, as of October 13, which means residents can travel freely to and from the border with a pass but only for essential purposes. Holidaying or visiting family is not list as essential.

* Ballina Shire

* Bourke Shire

* Brewarrina Shire

* Byron Shire

* City of Broken Hill

* Clarence Valley Council

* Glen Innes Severn Shire

* Gwydir Shire

* Inverell Shire

* Kyogle Council

* Lismore City

* Richmond Valley Council

* Tenterfield Shire

* Tweed Shire

* Walgett Shire

* Unincorporated Far West

8. If I make a day trip to Bryon Bay or Ballina, will I have to have a PCR test before being allowed back in? Does this rule change if I’m vaccinated?

At this stage a PCR test will be required. Queensland Health has hinted that there “may be fewer testing requirements for fully vaccinated people entering the border zone or entering Queensland from the border zone for non-essential reasons”.

9. If I travel from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay and camp for three days but have to return to the Gold Coast for a day/night (to tend to animals/attend a medical appointment) will I have to have a test before I am allowed back into Queensland?

Yes, but at no cost. Must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival into the state.

10. Then when I return to camping in Byron Bay for another three days, will I again have to have another test before returning at the end of my holiday?

Yes, but at no cost. Must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival into the state.

11. What happens if Bryon Bay and Ballina become hotspots while I am on holiday in this area, in what circumstances will I have to quarantine, and will this be at home or a hotel?

If you have been in a declared hotspot in the past 14 days you may travel to Queensland provided you:

* Are fully vaccinated,

* Have a negative test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival

You may arrive by air or road. There is no quarantine required if you meet these criteria.

If you do not meet these criteria, you will need to meet the relevant requirements for entry and will be required to undertake a period of quarantine in a government‑nominated facility.

12. How will the Queensland Government decide what makes an area a hot spot? Is this a particular number of cases?

Hotspots are places in Australian states or territories other than Queensland, or in safe travel zone countries where health officials have found a lot of people with Covid-19, or places that are at risk of high numbers of infections.

Current declared hotspots, accurate as of November 23, these may change but an updated list can be found here.

ACT

Currently, the Australian Capital Territory is declared as a Covid-19 hotspot. The identified start date is 14 August 2021.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Currently, the 128 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the two unincorporated areas that make up the state of New South Wales are declared as Covid-19 hotspots. This also includes the Commonwealth Territory of Jervis Bay which was declared on August 22, 2021.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

From 6pm AEST Tuesday 16 November 2021 Katherine and Robinson River (including surrounding homelands) are declared Covid-19 hotspots. Their identified start date is November 16, 2021.

VICTORIA

Currently, the 79 LGAs and the 10 unincorporated areas that make up the state of Victoria are declared as Covid-19 hotspots. Their identified start date is July 17, 2021.

12. Will police be at Queensland borders once the state reaches 80 per cent doubled dose rate either before or at December 17 checking all requirements?

Yes, police will be checking vaccination status, border passes and negative test results at the border from December 17.

If your questions are not answered above, visit the State Queensland’s Covid-19 roadplan website and it has further details.

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