Queensland closes border to NSW in order to ease restrictions
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Acting Queensland Premier Steven Miles gives the state’s daily COVID-19 update.
Queensland will close its border to all of New South Wales from 1am tomorrow in order to ease some coronavirus restrictions.
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Some restrictions on gatherings will be eased, however mask-wearing will be required for another seven days, Acting Premier Steven Miles said.
The state has recorded no new cases of COVID-19.
Can I cross the border?
The Queensland border is already closed to Victoria, South Australia and hotspots in New South Wales, except for a limited number of exemptions requiring 14 days hotel quarantine.
This will extend to all of New South Wales when it is declared a hotspot from 1am tomorrow (Friday July 23).
It is expected the hard border will be in place for four weeks, with a possible earlier review if the situation in New South Wales improves.
A border bubble will be put in place again, stretching south to the Clarence Valley to allow NSW residents living near the border to travel into Queensland for permitted reasons including work, education, healthcare, essential shopping and caring for vulnerable people.
Border zone residents cannot cross into Queensland for recreation or tourism, events, exercise or a holiday.
Similarly, Queensland residents cannot travel into the border zone, except for a permitted reason.
Police checkpoints will be reinstated at key locations along the border to ensure compliance with border passes.
Video: Queensland could soon close border to NSW (9News.com.au)
“Road checkpoints are coming back,” State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski said.
New border passes were being drawn up now, he said, and residents should expect delays at the border.
Anyone entering Queensland is already required to complete a declaration.
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Restrictions to be eased
As of 6am tomorrow (Friday), Queensland will ease restrictions on gatherings within the home from 30 people to 100 people.
There will be no restrictions on outdoor gatherings.
Weddings can now have 200 people in attendance with no restrictions on dancing and hospitality venues can have one patron per two square metres.
Restrictions will be lifted for visitors to hospitals and aged care.
Masks must still be worn while inside, unless at your usual workplace, or at any time when social distancing is not possible in the 11 local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan City, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast until 6am on July 30.
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Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said masks had been critical in limiting transmission of the virus in recent outbreaks in Queensland.
They would continue to be important as the situation in New South Wales worsened, she said, with cases now reported outside of Greater Sydney.
“It is really starting to escalate,” she said.
Due to cases of COVID-19 community transmission at sports stadiums in Victoria, Queensland will introduce extra measures at its own stadiums to ensure no potential spread.
Stadiums with a capacity more of 20,000 will now be capped at 75 per cent capacity.
Attendees must now also wear masks at all times, including while seated, unless eating or drinking.
Mr Miles said the measure was vital due to the sheer number of sporting events that are now happening in Queensland.
Source: Thanks msn.com