Border businesses fear financial ruin

Businesses on the southern Gold Coast are becoming collateral damage in the COVID-19 border war that has split a community apart.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today congratulated Queensland on a "double doughnut day" before noting she would not apologise for strict restrictions "protecting Queenslanders".

The premier said the tough checks were warranted, warning it would take just one Delta-positive case for the state to plunge back into lockdown.

LIVE UPDATES: NSW could record 4000 cases a day in the coming month

At least 100 army troops will arrive at the border next week to help police man the border checkpoints.

Today, small business owners came together at a meeting at the Coolangatta Surf Club, fearing after 18 months of uncertainty, this will be the final straw

"We are in a geographically beautiful place here but right now economically speaking we are in the worst place in Australia," Steve Edgar told 9News.

Ramesh Sivabalan from Smile Street Dental said he may have to refinance his house to keep his dental practice afloat.

"We're actually frantically training receptionists on how to help with nursing and vice versa," he said.

Brad Pond from Salt & Smoke butcher shop said only half his staff were considered essential.

"Come down to Coolangatta for a coffee Annastacia. Come and see what's really happening down here and talk to people," Mr Pond said.

READ MORE: Melbourne marks 200 days in lockdown amid surge in case numbers

Ms Palaszczuk said 1800 people are currently in home quarantine and more than 14,300 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young asked the 1800 Queenslanders currently isolating to remain in home quarantine.

"We know that it could just take one case of Delta, as we've seen in NSW, to end up with thousands of cases," she said.

"Every single person who might be infected, we need to make sure they remain in quarantine."

Border breaches ahead of crackdown

Queensland saw an increase in vehicles from NSW yesterday, with 6478 cars at checkpoints.

Police turned around nearly 200 less cars, down to 317 yesterday.

Police had to hand out 190 masks on the Gold Coast and a total of 267 masks across Queensland.

There were 67 businesses checked by police and there were no breaches.

READ MORE: Queensland restrictions to ease early after zero new COVID-19 cases

Appeal to pregnant women

Dr Young asked pregnant women "to please get vaccinated".

"Early on, you would have seen the advice was if you were pregnant to delay vaccination. That advice has totally changed, totally flipped on its head," she said.

"Now they are an absolutely priority group, so any woman who's pregnant, please come forward and get vaccinated.

"We know if you get infected you will do much worse than someone of your own age who isn't pregnant."

Restrictions easing

Meanwhile, restrictions will ease across the south-east and Cairns from tomorrow.

In the south-east, 30 people will be allowed in homes and 100 guests will be permitted at weddings and funerals.

Community sport will also resume with some limits in place.

All Queenslanders must still carry a mask with them at all times.