Qld, New South Wales border: Gatton woman Julie-Anne Mills approved for home quarantine trial

An employee of Queensland Health who was stuck in New South Wales for eight weeks has been approved for the new home quarantine program.

Gatton grandmother Julie-Anne Mills is 14 days away from being reunited with her husband, children and grandchildren after eight weeks when she was trapped in New South Wales, waiting for border passes to be approved.

Ms Mills has been hand-picked for the new home quarantine program where she will quarantine at a Lockyer Waters address for 14 days from Friday, October 14, when she arrives home.

“It was very emotionally stressful,” she said.

“I thought I was never going to come home.

“I got the email to say I had qualified for the home trial.

“On Saturday morning the QPS rang and they approved it all.”

Ms Mills travelled to Covid-ravaged NSW on August 20 after the death of her younger brother. As part of the home quarantine rules, Ms Mills will be tested for Covid-19 three times in 14 days, and will only be allowed to leave her selected residence for testing.

The Queensland Health worker said it was all worth it to be reunited with her family.

“I’m just happy to be coming home,” she said.

The fully-vaccinated Gatton resident arrived in New South Wales and despite applying regularly for border passes, was unable to return home for two months.

Ms Mills said she had applied for at least seven border passes since mid-August in an attempt to return home.

Julie-Anne Mills has been trying to come home to Gatton for two months.

The Queensland Police Service authorises the approval of border passes, and a spokeswoman said they had been inundated with requests from people wishing to re-enter Queensland, or relocate to the state.

The spokeswoman told News on October 6 they could not comment on individual cases such as that of Ms Mills.

“The QPS acknowledges the difficult situation many people are faced with in Covid hot spots in New South Wales and Victoria, however remains committed to reducing the risk of the virus spreading into Queensland,” the spokeswoman said.

QPS confirmed between September 5 and October 1, 11,137 border pass applications were submitted from returning Queensland residents and people wanting to relocate to Queensland from a Covid-19 hotspot.

Between those dates, 2745 people were placed in quarantine in Queensland.

As of October 1, 8310 applications were awaiting processing.

Julie-Anne Mills left behind (from left) her husband Terry, and grandsons Jai and Roman-James.

The mother and grandmother left her two children, aged 27 and 24, and two grandsons, aged five and eight weeks old, only to become stranded.

On video calls, her grandson asked if she’s “still where all the germs are”.

Despite the hurdles, Ms Mills said coming to New South Wales was non-negotiable – she had to be with her family.

“I don’t regret what I’ve done, I’d do it again,” she said.

“I couldn’t let my mum go through this on her own.

“She hasn’t got anyone here with her.

“I’m not asking for special treatment.

“I need to return back home.”