Police concerned by behaviour of late-night revellers as 156 people refused entry to Queensland

More than 2000 people remain in hotel quarantine in Queensland as a police blitz targeting party precincts uncovers a worrying trend and 156 people are refused entry at the state’s borders.

More than 2000 people remain in hotel quarantine as police continue to turn around dozens of people at the Queensland border.

Police have intercepted another 37 flights in the past 24 hours, with more than 1,300 passengers checked by authorities.

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said this included three people who were refused entry in the state.

“At our road borders, 2,407 vehicles were intercepted (in the past 24 hours) – we refused entry to 156 persons,” he said.

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Late-night revellers failing to social distance in Fortitude Valley earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

“And on our quarantining from those borders, we’ve put 75 into quarantine which brings the total number of persons in hotel quarantine in Queensland to 2084.”

Police also checked 512 licenced premises over the weekend, with no formal action taken – but Mr Gollschewski said they were concerned about some of the behaviour in late night precincts.

“The licenced premises by and large are doing the right thing,” he said.

“It’s the people that are attending that still aren’t quite getting the message that we’d like to see.”

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski wants to see the social distancing message get through to late-night revellers. Picture: Dan Peled

There were no penalty infringement notices issued in the past 24 hours or notices to appear in court.

Mr Gollschewski said police interventions over the weekend on the new ten person limit in the southeast for private gatherings had largely been about educating the public.

“We’ve seen instances of people in parks and people not being aware,” he said.

“When we have spoken to people, they have taken the advice of police and they have moved on.

“The fines will begin when people blatantly ignore the Chief Health Officer’s directions. That could happen any time.”

“When we have spoken to people, they have taken the advice of police and they have moved on.

“The fines will begin when people blatantly ignore the Chief Health Officer’s directions. That could happen any time.”

Originally published as Police concerned by behaviour of late-night revellers as 156 people refused entry to Queensland