Qld coronavirus: Border to reopen to NSW on November 1
The Queensland border will open to New South Wales next month, dancing at weddings will be allowed and gatherings will increase. A further easing of other restrictions will start from as early as 4pm this afternoon. SEE THE FULL ROADMAP
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland will open its borders to NSW on November 1, provided there’s been no unlinked cases in the past 28 days.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has released a new road map to reduced restrictions for travellers, home gatherings and weddings across the next few months.
It lays out that people with valid border declaration passes will no longer have to complete a mandatory fortnight of quarantine from November 1, with home gatherings allowed for up to 40 people in homes and public places.
And dancing will finally be allowed, with up to 40 people allowed to dance at a wedding with a COVID-Safe plan.
From December 1, gatherings of up to 50 people will be allowed at homes and public spaces across Queensland.
Other restrictions will ease from as early as 4pm this afternoon, when people will be allowed to stand up inside and outside venues.
The Premier urged everyone to continue practising social distancing while out.
Ms Palaszczuk said the state’s border closures had kept Queensland safe.
“We’ve been able to do things more in Queensland because we have taken proactive steps,” she said.
The border will remain closed to those from Victoria until community transmission is under control.
There have been two active cases in Queensland in the past 24 hours.
The new cases are maritime crew and are in quarantine in hospital, Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said.
There are now six active cases in Queensland.
Tourism leaders have said they’re “overjoyed” about the next stages of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the road map provided clarity the industry had desperately been seeking.
“This is great news for the tourism industry with Queensland destinations being accessible again. We hope bookings will stream in from our NSW travellers giving some sort of relief to struggling tourism operators.
“The easing of restrictions on events will also attract visitors to destinations giving the industry hope that things will begin to get back to normal”.
QTIC has been advocating strongly for the easing of restrictions and support for the tourism industry as the industry has been left devastated over the past few months.
Mr Gschwind said having a road map would allow tourism operators to plan for a strong summer season across the state.
“It will be a long road to recovery but with a clear plan in place we will now be able to implement steps to get back to business.
“We are hopeful that we can soon open the border to our Victorian travellers once community transmission is under control so that we can all enjoy the Sunshine State again”.
Jamie Pherous, the head of Brisbane-based Corporate Travel Management, also welcomed the decision to lift border restrictions with New South Wales from November.
“Both states have demonstrated excellent tracking and tracing capabilities,” said Mr Pherous, one of the state’s richest men. “With new infection rates at roughly 1 per 2 million population, it’s great to now see sensible, proactive steps being taken to support economic recovery.”
HOW RESTRICTIONS WILL EASE
From November 1
– Visitors and returned travellers from NSW can enter Queensland with a valid Queensland Border Declaration pass without having to complete mandatory quarantine, provided there have been no unlinked cases in the previous 28 days
– Gatherings of up to 40 people will be allowed in homes and public spaces across Queensland
– Up to 40 people can dance at a wedding with a COVID Safe Plan
From December 1
– Gatherings of up to 50 people allowed in homes and public spaces across Queensland
– Outdoor events can increase the maximum number of attendees permitted with COVID Safe Events Checklist from 1000 to 1500
– Unlimited dancing at weddings with a COVID Safe Plan
Originally published as Qld coronavirus: Border to reopen to NSW on November 1
‘Enriched the fabric’: Tate’s surprise offer to beloved doyen
Regina King photographed the Gold Coast and its citizens for more than 50 years. Now she’s been made a surprise offer by Mayor Tom Tate. FIND OUT MORE
Charges after teens’ alleged 1700km stolen car crime spree
Three teens found sleeping in stolen cars at a Gold Coast McDonald’s have been arrested after an alleged break-and-enter spree from Melbourne to Brisbane.