Queensland border to open to all but one state

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Karlie Brady

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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has given an update on Queensland borders. Image: Facebook.

The Queensland border will reopen to all states and territories except Victoria from 10 July.

Those travelling from the other states and territories will, however, be required to fill out a border declaration form before being permitted to enter Queensland, to ensure that they have not been in Victoria in the last 14 days.

A $4000 fine will apply if travellers are found to have falsified the declaration.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there were large concerns about the state of Victoria.

“Due to the current community transmission levels, the border with Victoria will remain closed and will be strengthened,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Tougher measures will apply from this Friday, 3 July, at 12:00pm.

"Anyone who has travelled from Victoria, including Queenslanders, will be prevented from entering or will have to quarantine at a hotel at their own expense for two weeks.

“We just can’t risk removing border restrictions for people coming from areas of Victoria right now.

“We don’t take these decisions lightly.

“They’ve been given careful consideration from the Chief Health Officer and the Government.”

The Chief Health Officer can review the situation with other states and territories at any time should more outbreaks occur elsewhere.

Other restrictions ease

From Friday 3 July there will also be further relaxed restrictions within Queensland as part of stage three of Queensland’s roadmap to easing restrictions brought forward from the original 10 July date.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said the accelerated relaxation of restrictions in stage three will collectively mean a greater return to normality for all Queenslanders.

“For small businesses like restaurants and cafes, for couples getting married, for young people wanting to celebrate their 21st at home, for community sporting teams and their spectators, for sports fans, museum goers and event managers, life has gotten easier,” he said.

Stage three measures include allowing:
• Private gatherings of up from 20 to 100 people in homes
• Wedding attendance increases from 20 to 100 (and the reception size increases too)
• Contact indoor and outdoor community sport starts with an approved plan;
• More events, with events of more than 10,000 people requiring a COVID Safe Event Plan approved by the Chief Health Officer; and
• Additional venues such as casinos and food courts to reopen.

“The four square metre rule per customer applies across the board with no ceiling, and no need to divide customers into smaller groups,” the Deputy Premier said.

“For small businesses, we will relax the four square metre rule, allowing up to 50 customers for a venue below 200 square metres in size, provided they keep a register of customers. For example, a 100 square metre café can currently have 25 patrons, with five of them in a separate area; now they can have up to 50 patrons.

“And patrons will be able to go to the bar to collect your food and drink – meaning faster service at many locations.”

The Government has committed to reviewing transmission levels and flagged moving from four square metres to two square metres more widely, when circumstances allow.

For more information and a full list of measures under the Roadmap to Easing Queensland’s restrictions click here.



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