A Queensland man was intercepted at Cairns Airport yesterday after allegedly trying to bypass the states strict border restrictions.

Police issued the 22-year-old Weipa man with an infringement notice for failing to comply with the Queensland Border Direction.

He was immediately placed into hotel quarantine.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Assistant Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the man’s actions were very disappointing.

Gollschewski said the man is alleged to have deliberately driven from Sydney to Canberra before boarding a flight to Brisbane then connecting to Cairns, failing to declare he had been in Sydney, a COVID hotspot.

“That person has expressed they were frustrated with the restrictions, didn’t like them and wanted to go to work,” Gollschewski said.

“A quite selfish approach.”

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The news comes as the Premier today announced the ACT along with the entire state of New South Wales would be declared COVID hotspots.

From 1:00am Saturday 8 August, all visitors from the newly declared hotspots will be denied entry except for rare exemptions, and returning Queenslanders, who will have to enter 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine at their own expense.

Since 10 July, 12 people have been issued with notices to appear in court while 24 people have been issued with infringement notices for providing false information on their border declaration pass.

Everyone entering the state must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass online before travelling to Queensland. Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4,003 fine or imprisonment.

“These are very serious offences,” Gollschewski said.

“The announcements this morning will allow us, as we go forward, to really focus on everyone coming into the state.”

He added that everyone coming into Queensland from a hotspot would be checked and unless they have an exemption they would be denied entry.

“There will be no way to get through unless you have those exemptions,” he said.

Anyone with information about potential breaches of the Queensland COVID-19 Border Direction should report the matter online or call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.