Queensland dismantles its border checkpoints as the state records almost 20,000 new cases
Queensland records 19,709 new Covid cases and six deaths – as the state finally pulls down border checkpoints and welcomes Australian travellers in for hassle-free holidays
- Queensland is dismantling border checkpoints as state recorded 19,709 cases
- Domestic travellers will no longer required to show proof of a negative covid test
- The rule was enforced from 1am on Saturday, opening the state to more tourists
- Police are grateful for the return of staff that have been busy patrolling borders
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Border checkpoints are being dismantled in Queensland with domestic travellers no longer required to show proof of a negative covid test as the state recorded another 19,709 virus cases and six deaths.
Since 1am on Saturday, interstate visitors have been welcomed into Queensland regardless of where they have come from, without the need for a border pass or negative test.
With domestic border controls now lifted, Queensland Police are removing border checkpoints, drawing the curtain on an epic operation.
Queensland has recorded another 19,709 virus cases and six deaths as the state opens to interstate travellers without regulation
Interstate travellers no longer need to show proof of a negative covid tests or fill out a border pass as of 1am on Saturday
Gold Coast District Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said the barricades that played a central role in preventing covid outbreaks as vaccination rates rose in Queensland would be completely gone by 5am on Sunday – and he does not expect them to return.
“The vaccination rates here are high enough and hospital rates are so low compared to the case numbers so we are achieving our outcomes,” Mr Wildman said.
“The whole purpose of the borders was to provide time for our community to get used to and ready for this situation, so the advice we have been given is that we won’t be back (at border checkpoints).”
Mr Wildman said the checkpoint closure would provide a healthy injection back into Queensland Police’s frontline ranks with almost 100 staff returning to Gold Coast operations alone.
Gold Coast District Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said the barricades marking borders will be fully dismantled by 5am on Sunday
Mr Wildman said the checkpoint closure would provide a healthy injection back into police’s frontline ranks with almost 100 staff returning to Gold Coast operations alone
Queensland was initially set to dump all border controls when it hit a covid vaccination rate of 90 per cent – a target expected to be achieved next week.
But the shift has been brought forward with the Omicron variant already widespread in the community and 90 per cent of eligible Queenslanders to be double-jabbed in the coming days.
Queensland’s latest figures show 91.48 per cent of those eligible have had one jab and 88.51 per cent have received two.
Since the checkpoints were first established in March 2020, 3.3 million border passes have been issued and almost 3.7 million cars have been intercepted, with 35,902 turned around and 20,247 people sent to quarantine
There were six deaths and 19,709 new virus cases announced on Saturday, with 649 people being treated for covid in hospital, including 46 in intensive care.
Since the checkpoints were first established in March 2020 and reintroduced in May of 2021, 3.3 million border passes have been issued and almost 3.7 million cars have been intercepted, with 35,902 turned around and 20,247 people sent to quarantine.
Overall there were 818 fines and arrests, 3571 individual investigations, 61 changes to border rules and 192,000 police hours spent managing checkpoints.
