Tears and joy as families reunite across open Queensland-NSW border

It wasn't the longest of border lockdowns, but the six weeks of separation between Queensland and Greater Sydney certainly sparked plenty of tears in Brisbane Airport today.

Cheryl Gale was overwhelmed as she hugged and kissed her grandson, after four failed attempts to reunite.

"Watching him grow up, it's just been really hard," she said.

Her daughter Charmaine was filled with anxiety that something else might go wrong.

"When I was coming through the gate I thought, 'oh my goodness, have I filled out everything? Is there anything else I need? Am I going to be turned away?'" she said.

The first flight from Sydney to Brisbane arrived at 6.30am, and 11 others were scheduled today.

Passengers arriving at Brisbane Airport said they were looking forward to reuniting with loved ones.

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"I have a baby nephew so very fortunate the borders have opened up. He was born last night and I'm going to go and see him today," one traveller told 9News.

Work to dismantle blockades at road border crossings started last night, and is expected to be completed by early tomorrow.

The border reopening will also be welcome by the Queensland tourism industry that has been hard hit by the pandemic.

It is estimated that NSW residents will inject more than $350 million into the Queensland economy over the Easter break.

It is hoped that will go a long way in making up for what was lost over Christmas.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler told Today border checks are being scaled back from this morning and traffic is moving freely.

"Traffic is flowing through fairly freely. On the M1 and Gold Coast Highway it is still under speed because we have concrete barriers in there.

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"We will remove from 7pm tonight. But over all, things are working very smoothly."

Mr Wheeler said 170 officers deployed on border operations would be returning to front-line police duties.

But he said Queensland police are continuing to monitor airports after the Sunshine State became the first state to declare large parts of Western Australia a coronavirus hotspot yesterday.

It took the action after a Perth hotel security guard tested positive to COVID-19, with fears it could be the highly infectious UK strain.

"We will be scrutinising people as they come in. Anyone who comes to Queensland from Western Australia, anywhere from Western Australia, will require a border declaration pass," Mr Wheeler said.

Thousands of residents across Greater Sydney were shut out from entering the sunshine state, after two coronavirus clusters on the Northern Beaches and Berala, in the city's south-west, over Christmas.

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the decision last week after receiving advice from Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young.

Ms Palaszczuk has urged NSW and Victorian residents to visit the Sunshine State over the coming weeks and help tourist operators.

"They're really feeling at the moment. They had a good Christmas but now kids are back to school, so if anyone's down there in NSW or Victoria and you're thinking about having a holiday, come up to Cairns," she said.

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"Everyone is here, ready and willing to welcome you with open arms and a friendly smile."