Queensland steps up border restrictions and re-emphasises safe behaviour

Greater Sydney will be declared a hotspot from 1am Monday the 21st of December 2020, and there will be a renewed focus on COVID-safe behaviour to ensure Queensland remains safe from the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the situation in New South Wales continues to escalate and as a result, border restrictions are being ramped up to protect Queenslanders.

"In addition, we will make sure Queensland businesses do not let up in their measures against the virus, and that all venues move to electronic registration of patrons,” the Premier said.

“We remain in a health emergency that was declared at the end of January, and we must stay vigilant.”

The hotspot will match the area nominated by New South Wales: the Greater Sydney region and the Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and Nepean Blue Mountains.

Non-Queensland residents from the hotspot will not be permitted after 1am Monday the 21^st of December.

Queensland residents returning from Greater Sydney will have 24 hours after 1am Monday the 21^st of December to get a border pass, return to their residence in Queensland, get tested and quarantine at home for 14 days from when they left the hotspot.

From 1am Tuesday the 22^nd of December, Queenslanders returning from Greater Sydney will be required to get a border pass to enter Queensland and undertake 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine.

Anyone already in Queensland who has been in Greater Sydney since 11 December should get tested and home quarantine until they get their result.

The Premier strongly urged everyone in Queensland to get back to their COVID-safe basics.

“It’s vitally important that everyone follows the hygiene and social distancing advice in all situations, day in and day out, and get tested if they feel at all unwell with COVID-19 symptoms,” she said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the extra measures were to protect the health of Queenslanders.

“Police are already undertaking random spot checks on the roads, but border checkpoints will be put in place over the next 24 to 48 hours,” Mr Miles said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath asked Queensland businesses and patrons to seriously address existing health requirements, especially social distancing, hand hygiene and contact tracing.

“To ensure everyone is doing their part, I am calling on all Queensland businesses to step up their vigilance in following the health advice, particularly around check-in processes and patron limits,” she said.

“Paper registration of customers is not sufficient – we are now asking you to take details electronically, and we will begin to enforce that in 72 hours from now.

“A compliance blitz in the coming days will include spot-checks and inspections as an additional safeguard for the community.

“We cannot wait until positive cases are in the community again before we act – COVID-19 is just as contagious as it was earlier in the year, even though our restrictions have eased.”

ENDS

Media contact: Shane Doherty 0439 624 473