Greater movement for border communities as twelve LGAs lifted from lockdown

The Premier has confirmed the ‘good news’ of eased restrictions for border communities following weeks of tough restrictions. FIND OUT HOW IT WILL WORK

Tough restrictions are set to ease in Queensland and New South Wales’ border towns with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealing the state would soften rules to allow essential travel.

At a press conference on Friday morning, the Premier announced that the twelve regional LGAs which had their stay-at-home order lifted yesterday will return to the ‘border bubble’ arrangements in place before New South Wales’ delta-outbreak.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a press conference at the Metcash Export Services warehouse in Crestmead, in Brisbane's south. Picture: Dan Peled

From 1am on Monday, the twelve LGAs will return to previous arrangements meaning people can cross the border for an increased, but very specific, number of reasons.

Those reasons include to attend school, essential work, essential shopping, for medical attention or to care for someone who is vulnerable.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk clarified an ‘essential worker’ is anyone who cannot work from home and that employees needed to have that conversation with their employer.

Importantly, people will require at least one-dose of the vaccine to be granted entry in either direction.

The Premier said anyone entering Queensland from those LGA’s cannot have travelled into other locked-down LGAs in the past 14 days.

She noted the New South Wales Government caveat that if any of the twelve LGAs had a positive case they would be plunged straight back into lockdown.
This would of course change their ability to enter Queensland.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles speaks during a press conference at the newly opened Covid-19 community vaccination hub at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall. Picture: Dan Peled

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he wanted to thank the border communities for their effort in keeping delta out of Queensland.

“We know how hard these ‘strictest ever’ restrictions have been on border communities on both sides of the border and we appreciate what they’ve done” Mr Miles said.

“There has been no new cases or sewage results and that has meant we can allow greater movement and ease the pressure on our border, ”he said.

Mr Miles said the ‘border bubble’ would begin from 1am Monday to adjust the border application process and ensure the new arrangements can be implemented safely.

He said that vaccines were essential to ensuring the safety at the border and all communities across Queensland.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles visit the newly opened Covid-19 community vaccination hub at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Miles thanked border communities, mayors, and in particular, both Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and NSW Border Commissioner John Barilaro for their support.

Cr Tate, who had called for the border ‘madness’ to end, welcomed the news that the border bubble had been re-established.

He said it would allow essential workers including Gold Coast and Tweed council workers stranded on both sides of the border to return to work.

Cr Tate said he hoped cross-border restrictions could ease further in the coming weeks as vaccination rates increased.

“Going back to the idea of living with Covid, (returning) to normality and bringing back livelihoods is just around the corner,” he said.

“This gives hope - that’s the main thing.”

EXPLAINED

From 1am Monday border restrictions will ease for 12 LGAs with lockdowns lifted.

12 LGAs are:

Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Moree Plains, Gwydir, Clarence Valley, Inverell, Glen Innes, Severn Shire, Tenterfield, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Lismore.

- Cannot enter QLD if travelled into other locked down LGAs in past 14 days.

- New reasons to be able to travel across QLD-NSW border are: school, essential work, essential shopping, medical attention, caring for vulnerable person.

Originally published as Greater movement for border communities as twelve LGAs lifted from lockdown