What the Queensland border reopening means for international arrivals

Queensland’s land border is set to reopen to fully vaccinated people on Monday, but there are significant changes, too, for overseas arrivals into the state’s airports. Here’s what you need to know.

International arrivals entering Queensland from December 13 will be able to complete their 14 days quarantine from home following the Premier’s announcement of changes to the state’s border restrictions.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Monday that the border reopening would be brought forward a week as the state nears 80 per cent fully vaccinated.

From 1am Monday, December 13, Queensland’s land border will reopen to fully vaccinated people, and there are changes, too, for arrivals from overseas into the state’s airports.

Fully vaccinated Australian citizens or permanent residents can enter Queensland as long as they return a negative Covid-19 result within 72 hours before arrival and partake in the 14-day at-home quarantine period.

The restrictions are expected to ease again when the state reaches 90 per cent fully vaccinated, which based on current modelling is expected to be mid-January.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS?

From December 13, fully vaccinated international arrivals who return a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to departure can go into home or hotel quarantine for 14 days.

They will also need to get a test on arrival.

WHAT ARE THE HOME QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS?

To be eligible for the 14-day home quarantine, residents must be fully vaccinated, have returned a negative test in the 72 hours before arrival.

Suitable residences must have no shared common areas and be within a two-hour drive of their final airport of arrival into Queensland.

WHEN WILL QUEENSLAND HIT 90 PER CENT VACCINATED?

Queensland is expected to hit 90 per cent first dose during the week leading up to Christmas Day.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland is on track to hit 90 per cent fully vaccinated in mid-January.

WHAT RULES WILL CHANGE WHEN QUEENSLAND HITS 90 PER CENT VACCINATED?

There will be no restrictions for fully vaccinated international arrivals when Queensland reaches 90 per cent fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated travellers will need to undertake a period of quarantine.

Originally published as What the Queensland border reopening means for international arrivals