{"id":309990,"date":"2021-11-23T20:26:47","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T10:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=309990"},"modified":"2021-11-24T13:40:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T03:40:28","slug":"border-pcr-tests-will-be-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/11\/23\/border-pcr-tests-will-be-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Border PCR Tests Will Be Free"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Health Minister Greg Hunt (Photo: Twitter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 23, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Negotiating the Queensland border after the State reopens to visitors from interstate “hotspots”\u00a0may have become a bit easier.<\/p>\n

There had been fears the $150 cost of getting a PCR COVID-19 test would deter visitors from NSW, Victoria and the ACT (all still declared COVID-19 hotspots).<\/p>\n

But on Tuesday afternoon, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt had confirmed the government would fund the PCR tests required to enter Queensland.<\/p>\n

Interstate domestic travellers will not\u00a0have to pay if they\u00a0require a test as a result of a State or Territory public health order, so long as the test is done at a government clinic and only a text message is required for the result.<\/p>\n

Queensland is not the only State requiring a PCR test.<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia also require negative PCR COVID-19 tests 72 hours before entry under their re-opening border rules.<\/p>\n

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland’s temporary PCR testing requirement would remain in place for domestic travel from hotspots until 90 per cent of eligible Queenslanders had received a double dose of vaccination.<\/p>\n

As soon as the 90 per cent milestone is reached, domestic travellers from hotspots who were fully vaccinated would not require a PCR test.<\/p>\n

The State Government will accept proof of a negative PCR test result via a text message or other digital means.<\/p>\n