Text proof of pre-travel Covid tests a ‘common sense’ move
Queensland will allow interstate arrivals to provide only text confirmation of Covid tests, which will shift the cost from the individual to governments.
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Queensland will allow travellers from interstate “hot spots” to produce only a text confirmation of their negative Covid test rather than a certificate, in a move that will shift the cost from the individual to governments.
Tourism groups have been concerned about the deterrent factor the test posed for domestic holiday-makers and visitors, with PCR tests undertaken for international travel costing about $150.
On Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed her government would accept a negative test result in the form of a text rather than a travel certificate.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said that meant visitors might be able to have the cost of the test covered in full by Medicare.
“There’s at least a glimmer of hope,” he said. “I don’t care how they sort this out. Having a $150 cost attached to this (test) would be a huge deterrent to people travelling here.”
He said bookings for the late December-January period were strong, but there remained a concern that the PCR test requirements could lead to widespread cancellations.
“When the border announcement was made, we were overjoyed, but that joy was soon dampened by the realisation it came with some big strings attached,” he said.
“Here we are spending millions of dollars trying to attract people to Queensland, only to tell them it’s going to cost an extra $150 a person.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt welcomed the Queensland move.
“Throughout the pandemic people have been able to access free Covid tests under commonwealth and state programs,” Mr Hunt said.
“This confirmation (by the Queensland Premier) will be welcome by families, friends, border residents and many, many tourism businesses.”
He said Queensland police had been accepting official text messages as confirmation of a negative Covid test for 18 months. Once 90 per cent of Queensland’s eligible population is fully vaccinated, the need for pre-arrival tests will end.
Originally published as Text proof of pre-travel Covid tests a ‘common sense’ move
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