Queensland to ban consular hotel quarantine exemption

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced Queensland will ensure consular and diplomatic staff returning from overseas or from interstate hotspots will go into hotel quarantine.

The Premier said she would like a nationally consistent approach but we just can’t wait.

“Once again, Queensland will go it alone to protect Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said she would act immediately.

“This exemption is a problem. We’ve seen that in Queensland this week,” she said.

“A person was able to arrive in Queensland from overseas on a consular exemption, and he had COVID-19.

“I am very grateful to this person – he did all the right things – but was granted an exemption from hotel quarantine.

“We can no longer allow this. With the high cases overseas, the risk is simply too high.”

Dr Young said from tomorrow exemptions to hotel quarantine will only be granted on extremely extenuating circumstances, in line with current arrangements for anyone entering Queensland from overseas or a hotspot.

ENDS

Media contact - Shane Doherty 0439 624 473