Deputy Premier and Health Minister Dr Steven Miles

July 9, 2020

Queensland is introducing tough new requirements for interstate travellers who develop COVID-19 symptoms while in the State, forcing them to be tested or face a $4004 fine.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said on Thursday anyone entering the State would have to make a binding declaration to get tested when they apply online for their border pass.

“The Border Declaration will require anyone who comes in to Queensland to sign off on their requirement to be tested if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms,” he said.

The requirement would also apply to Queenslanders returning to Queensland.

“Since this pandemic began, we have continuously urged Queenslanders to get tested at the slightest hint of a symptom and they have responded,” Dr Miles said.

“So it makes sense for people coming from interstate or who have travelled interstate to show the same commitment to keeping Queensland safe from COVID-19.”

Dr Miles said Queensland Health would text travellers to remind them of their obligation and ask if they have developed symptoms.

“And to assist travellers to meet their obligations, mobile testing clinics will be deployed to the most popular tourist destinations.

“We will assess the border pass applications and make sure that areas with high visitor numbers get extra support – places like the Gold Coast and Cairns.

“We will also be texting all border pass holders to remind them.”

The extra measures will be rolled out alongside a new border direction by Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young that will prohibit people coming to Queensland from Victoria.

Under the new direction, Queensland will turn away people who have visited Victoria in the past 14 days.

This applies to everyone, except people needed in Queensland for essential purposes, from midday on Friday (July 10).

Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in a hotel at their expense.

Currently, every local government area in Victoria is a declared hotspot.

From Friday, anyone who has not been to Victoria in the previous 14 days will be allowed to enter Queensland, subject to completion of a Border Declaration.

Failure to comply with quarantine directions and border restrictions can result in on-the-spot fines of $1334 for individuals and $6672 for corporations.

Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4003 fine.

  • The Queensland Entry Declaration can be accessed online and is valid for seven days.

 

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