Queensland roadmap eases remote restrictions

Published Friday, 12 June, 2020 at 12:40 PM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Craig Crawford

Travel restrictions for Queensland’s remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will ease further today (June 12), making it easier for residents to travel in and around their districts.

Stage 2 of the three-stage Roadmap to easing access restrictions for Queensland’s remote communities has commenced, where people living in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — plus the Burke and Cook shires — can easily travel throughout ‘declared travel zones’ set by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer. 

Designated communities now fall under the direction of the Chief Health Officer, rather than the emergency provisions of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cwth) that were put in place by the Australian Government to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The restrictions aim to prevent outbreaks in remote communities, ensuring the safety of Elders and those with existing chronic health conditions who are at a greater risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Queensland Government worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership including mayors in remote communities to develop the plan to safely ease restrictions in communities.  

“The Queensland Government has listened to health experts, local leaders and community advocates and worked with the Federal Government to transition from federal emergency biosecurity restrictions to more flexible state-based arrangements under Queensland’s Chief Health Officer’s public health directions,” Mr Crawford said.

From today (12 June 2020) under Stage 2, residents can move freely through ‘declared travel zones’ that councils and local disaster management groups have negotiated with the Chief Health Officer. 

Residents travelling within a ‘Declared Travel Zone’ do not need to go into quarantine when they return home.

The Chief Health Officer will then consider moving communities from 10 July 2020 to Stage 3, which removes all travel restrictions including entry and quarantine requirements and applies the same provisions as all Queenslanders under the Roadmap to Easing Restrictions.

The criteria for Stage 3 includes no confirmed COVID-19 cases in a community, an appropriate testing regime and clear rapid response framework  in place for the community. 

Mr Crawford said decisions about when to move to Stage 3 would be on the basis of health advice in consultation with local leadership.


“I would like to thank Queenslanders, particularly those living in remote communities, for their patience and we will continue to work closely with communities in the lead up to transitioning to Stage 3,” Mr Crawford said.

“The eased restrictions are for residents and their families, and tourists are not yet able to travel through these remote communities.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said there have been zero confirmed COVID-19 cases in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities anywhere in the state and we are counting on Queenslanders to keep these communities COVID-free.

“Local leaders are aware their communities may need to revert to tighter restrictions if there is a COVID-19 outbreak — even a single case could have a devastating impact in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“The same health advice applies anywhere in Queensland to continue social distancing, stay home if unwell and get tested if you have any symptoms,” Ms Lui said.

More information about remote travel restrictions is available at www.datsip.qld.gov.au/travel 

For the most up-to-date information on Queensland’s roadmap to a COVID-safe recovery visit covid19.qld.gov.au

 

Declared Travel Zones:

 

Designated Area

Declared Travel Zone

Cherbourg

South Burnett

Gympie

Noosa

Toowoomba

Designated Area

Declared Travel Zone

Palm Island

Townsville

Hinchinbrook

Designated Area

Declared Travel Zone

Yarrabah

Cairns

Tablelands

Mareeba

Douglas

Cassowary Coast (includes Innisfail)

Designated Area

Declared Travel Zone

Woorabinda

Rockhampton

Central Highlands (includes Emerald, Blackwater)

Banana (includes Biloela)

Livingstone (includes Yeppoon)

Designated Area

Declared Travel Zone

Burke

Mornington

Doomadgee

Mount Isa

Cloncurry

Carpentaria (includes Normanton)

Torres Strait Island

Torres Shire

Northern Peninsula Area

Mapoon

Napranum

Aurukun

Pormpuraaw

Kowanyama

Lockhart River

Cook Shire

Hope Vale

Wujal Wujal

Weipa Town Area

Cairns

Carpentaria

Mareeba

Tablelands

Douglas

Media contact:  Hope Fabillar 0428 343 432