Queensland police prepared for swift response should border be closed

Queensland police have confirmed they will act swiftly if a decision is made to close the state’s border again as a new milestone is reached.

Queensland police are ready “at a moment’s notice” to shut the border again if the Premier makes the call.

It comes as police on the state’s border checkpoints mark the granting of more than one million border declaration passes since the system was introduced less than three weeks ago.

Since July 10, when the state opened to all states bar Victoria and the declared hot spots in New South Wales of Campbelltown, Liverpool and as of today Fairfield, police have refused entry to 2200 people.

About a third of those people refused entry tried to come to Queensland via the Gold Coast.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said this was in addition to 10 people being turned around at the Coolangatta airport.

“There have been a number of opportunities for people to come in at our checkpoints,” he said.

“It would only take one of these people to come in being COVID-19 affected to have a consequence on the community.”

Motorists were delayed for more than an hour on the M1 during a peak period on Friday, but the wait time dropped down to 45 minutes over the weekend.

“Those travelling through the border are reminded to check their border pass is up to date and to be aware of any new COVID-19 hot spots,” Supt Wheeler said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the chief health officer was keeping a close eye on community transmission in NSW and Victoria. Picture: Peter Wallis

From Monday, more than 600,000 Sydney residents from the three declared hot spots will not be allowed to enter the Sunshine State, as well as all Victorian residents.

Any Queenslanders returning from declared hot spots will have to fund two weeks quarantine in a hotel.

Earlier on Monday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government would not hesitate to “slam the border shut” if community transmission increased in New South Wales.

She confirmed that decision was up to the state’s chief health officer Jeanette Young, who was “watching the situation closely”.