Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the state will reopen to fully vaccinated travellers at 1am on Monday next week without the need for quarantine.
Under Queensland’s road map to reopening the state,borders were set to reopen when 80 per cent of residents aged 16 and up were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or on December 17,whichever was earlier.
Ms Palaszczuk said that milestone would be reached this week,with the state sitting at a 78.67 full vaccination rate. Just over 87 per cent of residents had received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
“We can’t predict exactly when[the 80 per cent milestone will be reached],but we know it’s going to be this week,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We will be bringing forward the opening date of our borders from December 17 to 1am Monday the 13th.
“Queensland borders will reopen,especially to those hot spots of NSW and Victoria and ACT. So,fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hot spots can arrive by road or air. We do expect it to be very busy.
“You must have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours. So,please,you’ve got this date now so you can go and start organising that test. No quarantine is required if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated,you must arrive by air only and hotel quarantine for 14 days.
“There are two important changes I just want to mention. First is that you will no longer have to wait the two weeks after your second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. The national guidelines say one week is enough. So,we will adopt the national guidelines.
“And secondly,all arrivals from domestic hot spots must get another COVID test on day 5 when they get here. And there’ll be penalties applying if you don’t do that.”
There were no new community cases of COVID-19 recorded in the state on Monday,with three cases in hotel quarantine,two from interstate,and one from overseas.