October 18, 2021
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released a plan on Monday to chart Queensland’s gradual reopening to the world, once Statewide vaccination targets are met.
Key features include greater freedoms for those who are fully vaccinated including being able to cross the border from interstate hotspots in time for Christmas.
The plan (see below) defines several changes in restrictions which will occur as soon as 70 per cent – and then 80 per cent – of eligible Queenslanders have received their two vaccinations.
The Premier said how quickly these milestones were achieved depended on how quickly Queenslanders come forward to be vaccinated.
Some of the proposed deadline dates could come forward if vaccination rates improve.
“It’s simple,” the Premier said.
“The more of us who are vaccinated, the sooner we are safely reunited with friends and family interstate and overseas.”
Premier Palaszczuk said it was the last opportunity for Queenslanders to get vaccinated.
She said investigations were looking at getting vaccinations into schools as well as extending the successful Bunnings program.
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In a warning to rural and regional Queensland towns that are still lagging in their vaccination rates, the Premier emphasised that once the 80 per cent Statewide vaccination coverage is reached, there would no longer be any Federal Government financial assistance available in the event of increased restrictions or lockdowns.
As of Monday:
- 72.26 per cent of Queenslanders have had one dose
- 56.58 per cent are fully vaccinated
In Local Government Areas (data valid on October 17):
- Cherbourg 32.3 per cent (first dose), 24.9 (fully vaccinated)
- Gympie 67.3 / 52.2
- North Burnett 64.9 / 52.3
- Somerset 68.3 / 51.9
- South Burnett 67.9 / 48.8
- Toowoomba 75.2 / 58.4
- Western Downs 66.6 / 46.8
In comparison, the vaccination rate in the Brisbane City LGA is 79.1 / 64.0.
Premier Palaszczuk said people who are fully vaccinated are 86 per cent less likely to catch COVID and pass it on.
The chances of dying from COVID if fully vaccinated also falls by 90 per cent.
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At 70 per cent – expected Nov 19
Anyone who has been in a declared domestic hotspot in the previous 14 days can travel into Queensland provided:
- They are fully vaccinated
- Arrive by air
- Have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours
- Undertake home quarantine for 14 days
Direct international arrivals into Queensland will have to complete 14 days quarantine in a government-nominated facility.
International arrivals who arrive via another State or Territory will have to quarantine in a government-nominated facility until 14 days have passed since they arrived into Australia.
At 80 per cent – expected Dec 17
- Travellers from an interstate hotspot can arrive by road or air
- They must be fully vaccinated
- They must have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours
- No quarantine will be required
Direct international arrivals can undertake 14 days (subject to review by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee) home quarantine and subject to conditions set by Queensland Health provided they are:
- Fully vaccinated
- Have a negative COVID test in previous 72 hours
Those who do not meet these criteria will need to enter within Queensland’s international arrivals cap and quarantine in a government-nominated facility, just like now.
People arriving via other States and Territories will not need to quarantine if they are:
- Fully vaccinated
- Have undertaken at least 14 days (subject to AHPPC review) of quarantine under the direction of another State or Territory at home or in a government-nominated facility.
Those who do not meet the criteria to arrive from another State or Territory will need to apply for a border pass and undertake up to 14 days (subject to review by AHPPC) quarantine in a government-nominated facility.
At 90 per cent
- No entry restrictions or quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from interstate or overseas
- Unvaccinated travellers will need to apply for a border pass, or enter within the international arrivals cap, and undertake up to 14 days (subject to review by AHPPC) quarantine
