{"id":263328,"date":"2020-07-09T18:45:31","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T08:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=263328"},"modified":"2020-08-13T17:55:12","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T07:55:12","slug":"visitors-cant-refuse-covid-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/07\/09\/visitors-cant-refuse-covid-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Visitors Can’t Refuse COVID Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Deputy Premier and Health Minister Dr Steven Miles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 9, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The requirement would also apply to Queenslanders returning to Queensland.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Miles said Queensland Health would text travellers to remind them of their obligation and ask if they have developed symptoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to assist travellers to meet their obligations, mobile testing clinics will be deployed to the most popular tourist destinations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will assess the border pass applications and make sure that areas with high visitor numbers get extra support \u2013 places like the Gold Coast and Cairns.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will also be texting all border pass holders to remind them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under the new direction, Queensland will turn away people who have visited Victoria in the past 14 days.<\/p>\n

This applies to everyone, except people needed in Queensland for essential purposes, from midday on Friday (July 10).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Currently, every local government area in Victoria is a declared hotspot.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4003 fine.<\/p>\n