Queensland’s momentous border reopening has been brought forward by four days to Monday, December 13, at 1am.
This comes as the state hits its double dose vaccination target early.
But those expected to flood into Queensland by air and road will have to be fully vaccinated and produce a negative test 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid quarantine.
People arriving from COVID hotspots will also have to undergo a second test on day five of their stay, announced Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Travellers will now be considered double-dosed only one week after receiving their second injection.
But people who are not vaccinated will be required to fly into Queensland and undergo two weeks quarantine.
The anticipated news comes as families and travellers had been counting down to the original December 17 border opening.
Ms Palaszczuk said Cabinet had endorsed the new date which had been triggered by the 80 per cent double dose being reached some time this week.
So far 78.67 per cent are fully vaccinated and 87.37 per cent have had one dose.
“It is clear we will reach our target of 80 per cent fully vaccinated much sooner although exactly when is difficult to predict,” said Ms Palaszczuk.
“Nominating a time and date provides travellers and business with certainty to make their plans and comes four days early.”
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The Premier promised a special Christmas and said the border opening earlier would enable families to reunite after many months of separation.
“We know how important it is to reunite families, especially coming up to this really special time of year of Christmas,” she said.
“This is going to be a very, very special time of the year.
“I know people have said to me personally, some of them haven’t seen their grandkids for the first time.”
Queensland has remained a closed state for several months, with Queenslanders stuck interstate and unable to return home.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll urged people to “pack their patience” at border checkpoints as she warned police would be undertaking checks ranging from random to 100 per cent compliance.
Vehicle recognition technology would also scan every vehicle entering the state to enable follow-ups enquiries, she said.
Anyone who blatantly broke the rules could face a fine of $4135.
Border rules
As of 1am, Monday, December 13:
- Travellers from interstate hotspots can arrive by road or air
- They must be fully vaccinated
- They must provide a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours
- No quarantine is required for the fully vaccinated
International arrivals must be fully vaccinated and return a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure
- They will be required to get a test on arrival
- They must go into home or hotel quarantine for 14 days
There are two important changes:
- Travellers no longer have to wait two weeks to be considered fully vaccinated. One is enough
- All travellers from hotspots must get a test on Day Five after their arrival
