Covid-19: Queensland border could open nearly two weeks earlier than planned

Queensland could be open for travel much earlier than expected as vaccination rates swiftly rise.

Queensland could open its borders for interstate travel from as early as December 6, nearly two weeks earlier than initially announced.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s road map to easing travel restrictions originally flagged December 17 as the target for 80 per cent vaccine coverage.

But acting chief health officer Peter Aitken said the state was on track to reach that target much earlier than expected, which will allow new freedoms of movement.

“On the current rates of vaccination, it should be well and truly before December 17 and I just ask Queenslanders again, go and get vaccinated and bring that date forward,” he told reporters on Friday morning.

“It’s a projection so it could be anywhere between the 6th and the 12th of December depending on how the vaccination rates go.”

More than 72 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have received both doses of the jab and nearly 84 have received one.

Vaccinated travellers will be able to drive into Queensland in a matter of weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The acting top doctor said there was no update on when the state would reach 90 per cent coverage, with expectations remaining for early January.

“It’s much easier to project once we have the first vaccination dose because then you can anticipate how long it takes people to be eligible for their second,” Dr Aitken said.

“So the sooner people go out and get their first dose, the sooner we’ll (be able to) project for the second and 90 per cent.”

When arriving from a hotspot once 80 per cent vaccine rate is reached, fully vaccinated people will be allowed to drive or fly into Queensland if they have proof of a negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours of travel.

Entry requirements from Covid hot spots at 80 per cent:

• Travellers can arrive by air or road
• Must be fully vaccinated
• Have a negative Covid test in the 72-hours before travel
• No quarantine required

Entry requirements when Queensland reaches 90 per cent vaccinated:

• Quarantine limited to unvaccinated only