Border restrictions: State-by-state lockdowns explained
As Victoria’s cases continue to climb, Australia’s states and territories have altered the rules for their borders. Here’s what that means.
As Victoria’s coronavirus cases continue to climb, Queensland is bracing for a new outbreak and NSW community transmission numbers on the rise – the nation’s other states and territories have been quick to reassess long-promised plans to reopen their borders.
The rules around where you can and can’t travel – particularly if you are from Victoria and NSW – have been in flux since the both state’s infections started to grow. Just this week, Queensland decided that no one from Greater Sydney would be allowed into the Sunshine State from Saturday, August 1, providing another huge blow to the tourism industry trying to recover from the global pandemic.
So if you are hoping to still plan a domestic holiday in Australia, here are the rules for each jurisdiction:
QUEENSLAND
Ahead of rolling back some of the toughest border restrictions in Australia on July 10, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced this week that anyone from Greater Sydney – along with anyone from Victoria – would not be able to enter the state.
Since noon, July 10, visitors from Victoria have not been able to gain access or able to quarantine in Queensland. Anyone from the Garden State will be turned around at the border.
Queensland residents returning from Victoria will be allowed to come home but must quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at their own expense.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said the government will also introduce mandatory testing for anyone who develops virus symptoms within 14 days of entering the state.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Mr Miles warned Queenslanders to avoid travel outside of the state.
“Now is not the time to travel,” he said.
“Any travel that can be avoided should be avoided. We want to do everything we can to keep Queensland a safe place.”
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Queensland chief medical officer Dr Jeannette Young echoed the Deputy Premier, saying that no travel should be taken in the current climate.
“Don’t go to places where we know there are cases,” she said on Thursday.
“Don’t go overseas unless you really have to, don’t go to Victoria, anywhere in Victoria. And really reconsider if you need to go anywhere in NSW, and particularly, don’t go to Greater Sydney. We know there are more cases there and that puts yourself at risk and your family at risk. And you will be required to quarantine in a hotel if you come back.
Visitors from all other states and territories are allowed to enter Queensland without needing to quarantine, on the provision they haven’t been to Victoria in the past 14 days.
NEW SOUTH WALES
New South Wales kept interstate borders open for domestic travel throughout the pandemic, but that all changed earlier this month when Premier Gladys Berejiklian shut the state’s border to Victoria for the first time in 100 years.
Since Wednesday, July 8, people cannot cross from Victoria into NSW unless they have a border permit issued by Service NSW.
The permit is valid for 14 days and applies to land, air, sea and river crossings into NSW. It is for Victorian residents as well as those from NSW who are returning home.
Only emergency or law enforcement workers, people seeking medical or hospital services, education and those who need to attend court or meet legal obligations will be granted an exemption.
While NSW residents are free to cross the border into Victoria, they have been strongly advised not to, and are required to self-quarantine for a mandatory fortnight when they return.
Penalties for anyone crossing without a valid permit include $1000 on-the-spot fines, while other COVID-19 breaches can result in penalties of up to $11,000 and six months in jail.
Residents from all other states are allowed to enter NSW without restrictions.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
While the Australian Capital Territory’s borders remain open to travellers from other states, the Territory’s border is now closed to anyone travelling from Victoria, unless they have an exemption to enter.
All ACT residents, though approved to return home, must enter quarantine for 14 days if they are returning from Victoria.
According to ACT Health, penalties and fines may apply to those who fail to comply with public health directions.
TASMANIA
While there are no limitations on where you can travel around the state (providing you’re a resident), Tasmania’s borders remain closed.
Tasmania will make changes to its border restrictions from August 7. Until then, the current restrictions remain in place until that time.
From August 7, there will be no quarantine requirement for Tasmanian residents and non-Tasmanian residents travelling from South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Health screening at Tasmanian airports and ports will be conducted which will involve a temperature check and answering health questions. These measures will be in place for arrivals on King and Flinders Island as well as mainland Tasmania.
Victorians and people who have spent recent time in Victoria will not be allowed to travel to Tasmania, with the only exception being Tasmanians who are returning home.
“If visitors arrive from Victoria without an exemption letter they will be asked to return home,” he said.
“Tasmanians who’ve spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel will be required to quarantine in one of our government hotels.”
Quarantine requirements will remain in place until further notice for all Tasmanian and non-Tasmanian residents who have spent time in NSW, QLD and the ACT (due to their proximity to NSW) in the 14 days prior to travelling to Tasmania. This is because of the risk of transmission posed by people who have been in these areas.
Anyone caught breaching the rules will be slapped with a $756 on-the-spot fine.
Non-Tasmanian and Tasmanian residents who are required to enter mandatory government – designated quarantine will be required to pay a fee from July 31, 2020.
The new requirement will apply to all non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania who are required to undertake 14 days quarantine in government-designated quarantine, at a cost of $2800 per person.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
After hundreds of travellers made a last-minute dash from the east, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has now closed the border to anyone travelling from Victoria unless they are an essential workers.
As of Tuesday, July 28, not even SA residents who have been in Melbourne are allowed back into the state unless they can get a special exemption, with the hard border impacting both road, air and water passengers.
Residents from Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania can enter South Australia without having to quarantine for 14 days. A date on residents from NSW and the ACT is yet to be announced.
Residents travelling to SA from NSW and the ACT are still required to sign a health declaration at the border – as well as undertaking two weeks of self-isolation at a nominated address.
A $1000 on-the-spot fine can be issued to anyone breaching self-quarantine requirements.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Strict border closures are still in place for Western Australia, with Premier Mark McGowan refusing to a set a date on the reopening of his state to the rest of Australia.
Currently, no one can enter WA without an exemption from any state or territory.
Those granted an exemption will likely be sent into a mandatory 14 days of quarantine in Perth.
Individuals who disobey the rules will face a fine of $1000. The state has the toughest border restrictions in the country.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
From July 17, all residents, including returning Territorians, will be required to fill in a Border Entry Form and complete 14 days of mandatory, supervised quarantine at their own expense, if the person has recently been in a declared COVID-19 hotspot. The identified hotspots include the whole state of Victoria, Greater Sydney, Port Stephens and the Eurobodalla Shire Council which includes Batemans Bay and Narooma.
Visitors from other states – being South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania will then be allowed to enter the NT without restrictions. A Border Entry Form must be completed online up to 72 hours before entering the NT, printed and carried at all times.
All international arrivals must complete 14 days of mandatory self-quarantine at a place directed by the NT Government.
– with Natalie Brown
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