March 24, 2020
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the border controls that will come into effect at midnight on Wednesday (March 25) are essential to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” the Premier said on Tuesday.
“They are not directed at our border communities who cross to shop or work, attend medical appointments and return to their homes.
“They are to stop holidaymakers leaving southern States and risking the spread of this virus through Queensland.”
From midnight Wednesday:
- Border roads will be closed with police checking vehicles on major highways
- Advice will be given to aircraft passengers at departure point that travellers to Queensland will be required to self-isolate for 14 days
- Travellers arriving at Queensland airports will be met by police and other officers
- Rail services will be terminated
Exemptions include:
- Freight
- Emergency vehicles
- Emergency workers
- Those travelling to and from work
- Court orders, including Family Court
- Compassionate grounds
- Medical treatment
Anyone travelling to Queensland, who doesn’t usually live in Queensland, for any other reason will have to agree to self-isolate for 14 days, sick or not.
Penalties include fines of up to $13,345.
Police are developing methods to identify vehicles in border communities to make frequent essential border crossings easier – such as a permit.
The State Government said the Queensland/NSW border was last closed at the end of World War I to contain the Spanish flu.
Premier Palaszczuk said the better the community observed measures to restrict travel, avoid personal contact and stay in their homes and suburbs the sooner the virus spread could be contained.
“People should stay in their own States and in their own suburbs,” the Premier said.
“That applies to Queensland as well.
“People in the south-east should not travel to other parts of the State.
“Do not go on holidays. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary.”
