Last Friday at midday saw travellers crossing the Queensland border in scenes described as “almost like New Years Eve”.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler reported it was taking 30 minutes to cross the 3 Gold Coast border checkpoints (at Coolangatta, Tugun and Bilinga).

Those travelling from northern New South Wales faced travel of up to 2 hours before reaching the Gold Coast checkpoints.

The airports saw passengers arriving from Sydney first and emotional scenes as families reunited after months apart.

So, what are the new rules?

The Rules

The Queensland border is open to all states and territories, excluding Victoria, from Friday, 10 July 2020.

Victorians and any non-residents who have been to Victoria in the 14 days prior will be turned away at the border, with no option but to quarantine in the state.

Motorists must carry a statutory declaration stating they have not travelled to Victoria within 14 days AND carry documented proof of this statement, such as accommodation bills, receipts or photos with a time and date stamp evidencing previous travel.

Border Pass

The new rules include:

• Travellers who have been in Victoria in the 14 days before trying to enter Queensland will be turned around.
• Queenslanders returning from Victoria will still be allowed back into the state, but they will need to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for 14 days.
• Interstate travellers will be subject to mandatory testing if they develop coronavirus symptoms and could be slapped with a $4000 fine if they don’t comply.
• Text messages will be sent out to interstate visitors, reminding them of their obligation to get tested if they are sick.
• If you make a day visit to NSW, you will need to apply for a border pass for your return to Queensland.

The Impact On Business

There will be a positive impact on Queensland business with increased travel between states, excluding Victoria.

Businesses on either side of the Queensland and New South Wales border have reported issues with loyal customers giving up on attempting to cross the border due to traffic issues at border checkpoints.

How We Can Help

Our team of lawyers are experts in their field and go above-and-beyond to deliver the best result, each and every time.

We are proud to provide 5 star customer service to our clients.

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Get In Touch

Engage our experienced lawyers. Get the best representation. Contact Ryan Murdoch O’Regan Lawyers on 1800 999 529, email mail@rmold.newwebsite.live or submit an enquiry below.

We are available to meet with you at any of our local offices (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Cleveland and Jimboomba) or by telephone or video-conference.

References

J, Callcott, “Border build-up expected to hit businesses hard”, The Courier Mail, 10 July 2020
G, Stolz, “Long traffic delays expected as Queensland border reopens”, The Courier Mail, 10 July 2020

This article is for your information and interest only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and it does not constitute and must not be relied on as legal advice. You must seek specific advice tailored to your circumstances.