What changed from 1am Thursday 1 October 2020
Because of the reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission in northern New South Wales, the following changes have been made regarding the border zone:
- The New South Wales border zone (PDF) will be extended
- The Queensland border zone will no longer exist
- Queensland residents will be able to travel anywhere in the New South Wales border zone for any purpose
- New South Wales border zone residents will be able to travel anywhere in Queensland for any purpose.
The direction has also been updated to provide a right of entry to people coming to Queensland to respond to an emergency energy, drinking water, sewerage, liquid fuel, resources or telecommunications event.
What changed from 1am 25 September 2020
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is no longer considered a COVID-19 hotspot.
- Driving from the ACT through NSW to reach Queensland is not permitted as all of NSW is currently considered a COVID-19 hotspot. You must travel by air.
- Air travellers coming from the ACT into Queensland will only have to quarantine if they have:
been overseas in the last 14 days
been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days
been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days (and you are allowed to enter)
COVID-19 or have had COVID-19 in the last 14 days
had COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days. - People travelling from the ACT into Queensland must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass for presentation at the border.
- You must submit an exemption request if an exceptional reason requires you to travel by car from the ACT to Queensland.
Overview
To slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) the Queensland Government has put in place border restrictions.
The restrictions mean people who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days will be turned away at our border. This applies to everyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days, except people needed in Queensland for essential activities. Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government provided accommodation at their own expense.
COVID-19 hotspots are updated regularly here. Currently all of Victoria and New South Wales are COVID-19 hotspots.
You must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before you come to Queensland. This will include agreeing to get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Queensland.
You will have to quarantine when you enter if you have
- been overseas in the last 14 days
- been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days (and you are allowed to enter)
- COVID-19 or have had COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- had COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days
- are a New South Wales border zone resident who travelled outside the border zone in New South Wales.
You are only allowed to enter Queensland if you have been in a hotspot in the last 14 days, if:
- your usual residence is in Queensland or you are moving to Queensland
- you are a New South Wales border zone resident who has not travelled outside of the border zone in the last 14 days – view the border zone map (PDF)
- you need to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal
- you have to fulfil an arrangement or obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact
- you have to assist with or participate in a State or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency
- you need to come to Queensland to complete an essential activity
- you arrive into Queensland by air and you transfer directly to another flight to leave Queensland and don’t leave the airport or remain in quarantine until your flight out of Queensland
- you were in a COVID-19 hotspot for the sole purpose of transiting through an airport and didn’t leave the airport
- you are a student at a higher education institution or boarding school and are entering Queensland for study, parents and guardians are allowed to accompany students who are minors
- you are entering to receive essential health care, or to provide support to a person receiving essential health care.
You will have to provide evidence of the above when entering Queensland.
You will be required to complete 14 days mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation at your own expense unless exceptional circumstances apply.
You may not have to quarantine if you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days if you:
need to come to Queensland to complete an essential activity
arrive into Queensland by air and you transfer directly to another flight to leave Queensland or quarantine until your flight out of Queensland
were in a COVID-19 hotspot for the sole purpose of transiting through an airport
can provide evidence that you completed mandatory hotel quarantine in a COVID-19 hotspot and immediately transited to Queensland
are a New South Wales border zone resident and have not been in a hotspot in the last 14 days.
If you are exempt from quarantine, you will need to keep and retain records of close contacts whilst you are in Queensland for two weeks after you arrive in Queensland.
Essential health care
You can enter Queensland from a hotspot for essential health care without an exemption when the health care cannot be provided in the hotspot.
Essential health care is any:
- Queensland Children’s Hospital appointment confirmed in writing by the hospital
- appointment at a Queensland Hospital and Health Service or associated outreach location, confirmed in writing by the service
- appointment at a licensed Queensland private health facility or ancillary clinic or service, confirmed in writing by the service or health practitioner
- appointment at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service confirmed in writing by the service
- appointment with a prescribed health practitioner at another premises, confirmed on the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.
Please note: An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include services provided by a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS Plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service.
You will be required to comply with quarantine requirements. If you are admitted to a hospital or other facility you will be able to quarantine at the facility. Otherwise, you will need to quarantine at a hotel at your own expense.
Enforcement
Strengthened enforcement will be present at Queensland borders, including screening of Queensland Border Declaration Passes and identification. There are also increased penalties for providing false or misleading information. If you breach any of the requirements under the Borders Direction, you may be subject to enforcement, including an on the spot fine of $4,003, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,345 or 6 months imprisonment.
If you provide false, misleading or incorrect information on a Border Declaration it is an offence punishable by a fine of $4,003, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,345 or 6 months imprisonment.
What this means for you
- You will need to obtain a Queensland Border Declaration Pass to cross the border even if you are a returning Queenslander. Applications can be done at the border, however you may face delays.
- You will need to provide satisfactory evidence of identity such as a driver’s license or Medicare card.
- You will need to commit to get tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms within 14 days of entering Queensland.
Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions
Originally posted 2020-10-01 12:20:57.
