Queenslanders have been told they could end up stranded in NSW if the southern state’s coronavirus crisis spreads beyond greater Sydney.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the open border was a day-to-day proposition.
In a sign the border could be snapped shut with little notice, she had a message for Queensland travellers currently in regional NSW.
“Please consider your situation carefully and come home if you can,” she tweeted late on Monday.
Queensland is receiving extensive daily briefings from health authorities, and that’s guiding decision making about the border.
This comes as other states consider their positions and a plan is formulated for financial support for Sydney businesses and workers.
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From Tuesday, all people entering South Australia will require an exemption and face tougher checks before being granted permission.
This will include assurances of a suitable location to quarantine for two weeks.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has said any spread of the virus outside the Greater Sydney lockdown area will be extremely worrying, and will heavily inform decision making about the border.
NSW recorded 112 new cases of community transmission on Monday, the highest daily total since the state’s current outbreak began.
At least 46 of those cases were out in the community while they were infectious.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the federal and NSW governments have been finalising the details of cashflow support for businesses.
Social services and union groups have called on more support for Sydneysiders and others in lockdown.
The Australian Council of Social Service wants a top-up and an expansion of the federal disaster payment scheme.
People can claim up to $500 a week if they’re in a nationally recognised hotspot for more than seven days and cannot work.
