Queensland's border opening just hours away: What you need to know
The reopening of Queensland's borders to interstate visitors is just hours away after the state brought forward its open border date by four days.
Instead of borders opening up on December 17, Queensland will now open to all Australians from 1am on Monday, December 13.
From COVID-19 tests to quarantine and vaccination status, here's what you need to know.
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Instead of borders opening up on December 17, Queensland will now open to all Australians from Monday, December 13. Getty
When is Queensland's border opening?
Queensland's border is opening on Monday, December 13 at 1am AEST.
This is four days earlier than the scheduled opening date of December 17.
Can anybody enter Queensland?
Yes – provided you can travel outside of your own state.
Queensland's borders will reopen even to places designated as COVID-19 "hotspots" including New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.
Do you need to quarantine when you enter Queensland?
If you're fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you can only arrive via air and you must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days.
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Getty
Does this include the road borders? Can I drive to Queensland?
It does include the road borders and you can drive to Queensland.
Police will be conducting checks on the vaccination status of people in vehicles crossing the border.
Do I need to prove that I am COVID-19 negative?
You do.
Every person who enters Queensland must have a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours prior to entering the state.
If you arrive from a COVID-19 hotspot – such as all of NSW and Victoria – you must also get another COVID-19 test on day five after arriving.
Penalties will apply if a person does not get the second test on day five.
What about international arrivals?
International arrivals must be fully vaccinated, return a negative test within 72 hours of departure and must do 14 days of home or hotel quarantine, Ms Palaszczuk said.
If I just got my second jab, do I have to wait two weeks to be considered fully vaccinated?
You do not.
The Queensland Government is adopting national guidelines that say one week – or seven days – after your second dose is enough to consider a person to be fully vaccinated.
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A person will be considered fully vaccinated seven days after their second dose. Bloomberg
What if I live in a border town like the Tweed?
From Monday, December 13, at 1am AEST, border residents will be able to move freely across for any reason.
These residents will still need a border pass which is current for 14 days, but they will not need constant COVID-19 negative tests.
Why did the government bring forward the border opening?
The border opening has been brought forward due to the speed of vaccination in Queensland.
Queensland is anticipated to hit the milestone of 80 per cent fully vaccinated in the coming days.
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