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COVID-19 requirements in Queensland

Going out, travel, recreation and gathering.

Although there are no longer any Public Health Directions in effect, some businesses may have their own requirements in place.

Face masks can help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), especially in places where it is difficult to socially distance.

Visiting high-risk settings

High-risk settings in Queensland may have their own restrictions in place

Proof of vaccination

Find out how to get access to your vaccination certificate.

From 6 p.m. Monday 31 October 2022, there are no Public Health Directions in effect

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Everything you need to know as queensland’s border finally reopens to australia.

Rhiannon Lewin

EXPLAINED: The new travel restrictions and requirements for entering Queensland

After months of closures, Queensland’s borders are set to reopen to travellers from across Australia on Monday morning.

The border restrictions will be eased for the first time in five months from 1am on Monday, 13 December.

See details of Queensland’s new travel restrictions in the video player ABOVE

“We will live with COVID-19 – but on our terms,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while announcing the borders would open four days ahead of previously planned.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath echoed a similar sentiment. She said it would be a matter of when - not if - coronavirus spread through Queensland.

“We know COVID-19 is coming,” she said.

“We know cases numbers will rise.

“But we can be as protected as possible by being fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated travellers can cross the border from Monday, without quarantining provided they meet certain criteria.

However, the welcome news for many comes with certain conditions that travellers wanting to cross the border must abide by.

Entering Queensland from a hotspot

Travellers who have been in a declared hotspot in the previous 14 days will have different rules to those who are not coming from a hotspot.

All travellers, from anywhere in Australia, must apply for and receive a Queensland entry pass prior to arrival in the sunshine state.

This includes returning Queensland residents.

Those coming from declared hotspots such as Sydney or Melbourne, or those who have been in a hotspot in the last 14 days, will be required to return a negative PCR test within 72 hours of crossing the border.

For those staying for five or more days, they must then also return a second negative test on day five of their visit

People from hotspots who aren’t fully vaccinated will need to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine upon arrival into the sunshine state.

To check if you are in an area of concern, a list of declared hotspots is available on the Queensland Government website .

Entering from a ‘green zone’

For those entering Queensland from a ‘green zone’, an area that is not declared as a hotspot, there are no restrictions upon entry, provided you receive a border entry pass prior to arrival.

You must apply for and receive a Queensland entry pass to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia, including from within green zones.

Residents living in the declared ‘ border zone ’ will be able to move freely across the border provided they are vaccinated and have a valid border pass.

Arriving in Queensland from overseas

Australian citizens or permanent residents - or immediate family members travelling with one - can arrive directly into Queensland via Brisbane International Airport.

You must also be fully vaccinated and have a negative result within 72 hours before departure.

Home quarantine must be conducted within a two-hour drive of the airport. Anyone else in the property at the time must also complete quarantine and have at least one dose of a vaccine.

If you are arriving from overseas via another state or territory you must be fully vaccinated and undertake the the Queensland-specified period of quarantine under the direction of another state or territory at home or in a government-nominated facility.

If you arrive into Australia via an interstate COVID-19 hotspot, you’ll need to complete 14 days of hotel quarantine when you arrive in Queensland.

The border changes come as Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated Queenslanders on reaching the reached the 80 per cent milestone .

“Well done to Queensland ... Thank you to everyone who got their jab,” he tweeted.

Queensland’s new COVID-19 quarantine rules

Queensland has also unveiled plans to reduce quarantine requirements for contacts of known COVID-19 cases and cleaning requirements for businesses.

From 1 January, 2022, there are a number of eased COVID-19 contact restrictions.

VACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS

  • Home quarantine for seven days and get tests on days one and five
  • Can leave quarantine if they test negative on day five
  • Wear a face mask and don’t visit high-risk settings until day 14

UNVACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS

  • Home quarantine for 14 days and get tested on days one, five and 12
  • Fully vaccinated household contacts of close contacts
  • No quarantine, but get tested on days one and five

UNVACCINATED HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS OF CLOSE CONTACTS

  • If you test negative on day five leave quarantine

CASUAL CONTACTS

  • No quarantine required but must get tested immediately and isolate until they get a negative result, wearing a face mask outside home recommended for 14 days
  • Businesses that are visited by active COVID-19 cases and listed as exposure sites
  • Close premises for a standard clean, but no deep-clean required

DEFINITIONS

  • A close contact is a anyone who’s had at least 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 case in the business or venues
  • Vaccinated is anyone who is more than seven days after their first dose
  • Household contacts are people residing in same dwelling overnight, including intimate partners
  • Tests must be PCR tests

(Source: Queensland Government)

See details of Omicron being detected in Queensland in the video player below

New variant of Omicron detected in QLD.

Queensland Government home

The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

New travel declaration required for entering queensland.

Published Thursday, 17 June, 2021 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

From 1am Saturday 19 June, anyone travelling to Queensland from New Zealand or another state or Territory within Australia will need to make an online travel declaration.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the new requirement would support contact tracing efforts.

“It’s vital that if an interstate exposure site or hotspot is declared, our health experts can quickly contact anyone who has travelled into Queensland from that area,” she said.

“This is the next line of defence for Queensland – if we’re able to reach people quickly, it will reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Queensland and manage outbreaks right from the get-go.

“The declaration is made online and is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes to complete, and operates in a similar fashion to the Victorian system.”

Queensland will introduce green, amber and red areas, where green means no travel restrictions, amber signifies interstate exposure venues, and red alerts to a hotspot.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the declaration would need to be made up to 72 hours prior to travelling to Queensland.

“The travel declaration needs to be made close to your travel, to ensure it reflects the most up-to-date advice,” she said.

“Things can change quickly with COVID-19 – we’ve seen it time and time again, especially with the evolving situation in Victoria, so travellers will need to check the latest restrictions before travelling.”

Dr Young said a cross-border zone would be re-established so those living close to the QLD-NSW border wouldn’t need to complete multiple travel declarations.

“We know there are a number of people living close to the Queensland border who either work or access important services regularly in Queensland or in northern New South Wales,” she said.

“We want to ensure they can continue to do that without making a declaration each time they cross the border, so we’ve established a border zone to cater for those situations.”

For more information, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/queensland-travel-declaration

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008

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Great Barrier Reef Drive

Australia & Queensland Travel & Border Information

Australian travel during COVID-19: Tropical North Queensland guide

Tropical North Queensland & Australian Travel Guide

Domestic and international travellers can enjoy the open spaces of Tropical North Queensland by relaxing on secluded beaches, exploring lush tropical rainforests, diving into the Great Barrier Reef or adventuring through the rugged outback.

Find out all you need to know about Australian travel and exploring Tropical North Queensland below.

Jarramali Rock Art Tours

International travel

International travellers are now welcome to travel into Australia and Queensland without providing evidence of vaccination status or quarantine.

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Entering Australia

Licuala Rainforest Circuit

International arrivals

For more information on travel requirements in Queensland and Australia, please refer to the below links.

Australian Government advice Queensland Government advice

free family activities in cairns

Domestic travel into Queensland

There are no restrictions on visitors from all around Australia entering Queensland. All interstate travellers and returning Queensland residents can cross the border without an entry declaration or border pass, no need to complete any COVID-19 test and no need to provide proof of vaccination status.

zillie falls atherton tablelands

While you’re here…

There are some health and safety measures in place while you are in Queensland which are recommended. These include:

  • Get up to date with your vaccinations and boosters
  • Social distancing, hand hygiene and general safe health practices
  • Getting tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if you are sick
  • Face masks may still be required in some situations, like healthcare facilities.

Find out more

Vlasoff Cay aerial Great Barrier Reef

Airport & airline advice

Find out more information about travelling through Cairns Airport  here

To see which airlines fly into Cairns Airport,  see here

Plan your trip

Useful links to help plan your journey.

Working Holiday in Australia

Where to go, getting around, weather & seasons, explore more.

There are thousands of ways to adventure through the tropics.

travel restrictions qld

50 must-do day trips from Cairns

While Cairns itself is known for its laid back city vibes and stunning esplanade, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, waterfalls and quirky townships are just a stone’s throw away. Grab a pen and paper and add these day trips from Cairns to your holiday bucket list.

Crystalbrook Riley

Luxury places to rest your head

Escape to luxe island hideaways, indulgent outback retreats or tranquil ancient rainforests. Kick off your shoes, take some much needed R&R and discover the unique landscape of Tropical North Queensland.

Tolga Bat Hospital

Conscious travel: How to travel Tropical North Queensland for a cause

Take nothing but photographs, leave only footprints and help give back to the unique environment of Tropical North Queensland with these experiences and causes.

travel restrictions qld

10 Great Barrier Reef Experiences for Adventure Seekers

While most people come to the Great Barrier Reef for postcard-perfect swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving in the real-life World Heritage-listed aquarium, there’s plenty of ways to experience the reef and not all involve getting wet. Choose your own Tropical North Queensland reef adventure with this adrenaline scale ranging from sunset sails to vistas served at speeds of up to 200km per hour.

zillie falls atherton tablelands

10 waterfalls to chase on the Atherton Tablelands

Hit the famous waterfall circuit, uncover those lesser known or stretch a little further and take a dip in Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands.

Nu Nu Palm Cove

Eat your way through these Palm Cove Restaurants

Taste the flavours of the north in the seaside village of Palm Cove, where restaurants take pride in local produce, fresh flavours and providing a warm tropical welcome served with an icy-cold drink.

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Dive into this guide of swim-out hotel rooms

Walk in: swim out. For that added splash of luxury to your weekend getaway, family holiday or romantic retreat the following hotels will get you as close as you can to the most convenient and luxurious pools in the region.

Coconut Trees

Guide to Cairns & Port Douglas

A getaway is looming and you’re longing for a tropical escape – Cairns and Port Douglas are both popular holiday havens boasting a wealth of experiences. Read this guide to help plan your trip to these two seaside locales.

accessible travel cairns palm cove

Accessible Travel in Cairns & Palm Cove

As a region, Tropical North Queensland offers an array of experiences that will engage your senses and immerse you in its natural wonders. From the rainforest to the reef, you’re sure to find an abundance of accessible adventures for all tastes.

Daintree Discovery Centre

The Wet Tropics’ Famous Five Precincts and a guide to exploring them

If you’re looking to connect with nature and discover a rainforest that’s the oldest, longest and largest in Australia, go behind the foliage with this guide to the five precincts of the Wet Tropics.

dreamtime dive and snorkel deal

Find holiday deals

Save on your tropical getaway.

Privacy Overview

Accessibility, accessibility modes, online dictionary, readable experience, visually pleasing experience, easy orientation.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

  • tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au
  • March 22, 2024

Compliance status

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.

Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported in our website

  • Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
  • Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
  • Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
  • ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
  • Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
  • Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

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  • Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

Browser and assistive technology compatibility

We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to

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Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60)

Effective from: 1am AEST 7 January 2022

Posted: 7 January 2022

Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)

Section 362B

On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 26 March 2022 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following direction pursuant to the powers under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community .

A person entering Queensland must comply with any relevant requirements of other Public Health Directions while the person is in Queensland. A person entering Queensland who has been overseas in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland must also comply with the entry and quarantine requirements under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 16) or its successor.

Separately from the requirements under Public Health Directions, under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005 , a person may be given a direction by an emergency officer (public health) to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60) .

The Border Restrictions Direction (No. 59) given on 30 December 2021 is revoked from 12.59am AEST 7 January 2022.

Commencement

This Direction applies from 1am 7 January 2022 until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless revoked or replaced.

PART 1 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – GENERAL

A person must not enter Queensland unless the person:

has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter; or

has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, and:

is fully vaccinated ; and

has undertaken a COVID-19 test at a COVID-19 hotspot within 72 hours prior to the person’s arrival in Queensland and the person has received a negative test result; and

is not an international arrival; or

Note: a person who meets the criteria of 4(b) is a hotspot traveller . A hotspot traveller may include a Queensland resident or a new Queensland resident .

Example 1: If Sydney is a COVID-19 hotspot, and a Brisbane resident flies to Sydney for a business trip, the person must obtain the COVID-19 test at Sydney within 72 hours prior to returning to Queensland.

Example 2: If both Victoria and NSW are COVID-19 hotspots, a person driving from Victoria to holiday in Queensland could obtain a COVID-19 test in either Victoria or New South Wales within 72 hours prior to arrival in Queensland.

has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, and is permitted to enter Queensland under Parts 2 and 3 and subject to the requirements in Parts 2 or 3; or

Note: To remove any doubt, if an area of Australia is removed from the list of COVID-19 hotspots , a person may enter Queensland as soon as the area is no longer a COVID-19 hotspot , even if the person had been in the COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their entry to Queensland.

Example – The Northern Territory is decided by the Chief Health Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 June 2020 and removed as a COVID-19 hotspot from 10am on 1 September 2020. A person may enter Queensland from 10am on 1 September 2020, even if the person had been in the Northern Territory during the previous 14 days.

is a fully vaccinated border zone resident who has not in the preceding 14 days been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the non-restricted border zone ; or

is a fully vaccinated Queensland resident who has not in the preceding 14 days been in a COVID- 19 hotspot outside of the non-restricted border zone; or

Note: Fully vaccinated border zone residents and Queensland residents who are re-entering Queensland after being only in the non - restricted border zone in the previous 14 days are not required to have a COVID-19 test unless they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 .

is entering Queensland as a freight or logistics operator and does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is complying with the requirements of the Operational Protocol for Freight Movements entering Queensland . A person who is operating as a freight or logistics operator may only enter under this provision, unless the person is entering in their private capacity and is not performing the functions of a freight or logistics operator .

Despite paragraph 4, a person must not enter Queensland if, in the previous 7 days, they have been

identified as a confirmed case of COVID-19 or close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and are currently subject to self-isolation, isolation, quarantine or are isolating while awaiting test results required by another Australian State or Territory.

A person who enters Queensland and develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry, must present for a COVID-19 test .

A person is taken not to have been in a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of the entry restrictions and quarantine requirements in parts 3 and 6 under this Direction, however, will still be required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass , if the person:

arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by air for the sole purpose of transiting through an approved airport in the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport ; or

Note: A person who arrives at an international airport in a COVID-19 hotspot who immediately transits to a domestic terminal without otherwise leaving the confines of the airport is taken not to have been in a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of entry restrictions and quarantine requirements .

transited through a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport for a distance of no more than two hours of safe driving distance from their point of entry to a COVID-19 hotspot , without stopping; or

arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport to travel directly, without stopping, to an airport in a COVID-19 hotspot within two hours of safe driving distance from their point of entry into the COVID-19 hotspot , to depart the COVID-19 hotspot by air.

PART 2 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND - NEW SOUTH WALES BORDER ZONE RESIDENTS (WHO ARE UNVACCINATED OR HAVE BEEN IN THE RESTRICTED BORDER ZONE)

Note: A border zone resident is subject to other public health directions while in Queensland.

Note: A border zone resident may also enter Queensland as permitted under paragraph 4 or Part 3. A border zone resident entering Queensland under paragraph 4 or Part 3 must comply with the requirements for entry in Schedule 1.

A n unvaccinated border zone resident who in the preceding 14 days has been in the restricted border zone and has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the border zone may only enter and remain in Queensland for one of the following essential purposes:

to obtain essential food, essential goods or essential services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales, unless the reason the essential food , essential goods or essential services is unable to be obtained in New South Wales is because the person is unvaccinated; or

to obtain scheduled (as evidenced by appointment booking) medical care or other health care services such as pathology, medical imaging or radiology services, which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales; or

to obtain urgent unscheduled medical care or other health services services, which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales; or

to obtain medical supplies which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales; or

to obtain a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales; or

to undertake one of the following categories of work or volunteering:

work performed by an emergency services worker responding to an emergency in Queensland; or

emergency work performed by a national defence, state security or police worker ; or

work performed by an emergency infrastructure worker ; or

work performed by air crew ; or

work performed by a disaster management worker related to the prevention or preparation for an imminent disaster or to respond to a disaster; or

emergency volunteering to respond to an emergency or disaster.

to fulfil a Court ordered obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

in the event of an emergency situation.

A border zone resident mentioned in paragraph 8 who is required to stay overnight or longer in Queensland for an essential purpose must comply with the stay at home requirements in Part 6A until they leave Queensland.

A fully vaccinated border zone resident who has in the preceding 14 days been in the restricted border zone and has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the border zone may only enter and remain in Queensland for one of the purposes listed in paragraph 8 or any of the following permitted purposes:

to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland or to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland; or

to donate blood or blood products at a scheduled appointment at a blood collection centre in Queensland; or

to comply with their statutory care requirements as a child under the care of the Chief Executive of the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs; or

to perform essential work or volunteering that cannot be done from home; or

to provide assistance, care or support to a family member or to fulfil other caring responsibilities; or

to attend a childcare facility, school, university, or other educational institution for the purposes of receiving care or instruction or to transport a child to attend a childcare facility, school or other educational institution for these purposes; or

for children under 18 years who do not live in the same household as their biological parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings, to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children and siblings; or

for children of essential workers and an adult that may transport the child to attend face to face schooling or to attend a childcare facility for the purposes of receiving care or instruction.

An unvaccinated non-restricted border zone resident who has not in the preceding 14 days been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the non-restricted border zone may enter and remain in Queensland for one of the purposes listed in paragraphs 8 and any of the following permitted purposes:

to fulfill an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

for children under 18 years who do not live in the same household as their biological parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings, continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children and siblings.

A border zone resident who enters Queensland under Part 2 must only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the relevant purpose .

PART 2A – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND - QUEENSLAND RESIDENTS (WHO ARE UNVACCINATED OR HAVE BEEN IN THE RESTRICTED BORDER ZONE)

A n unvaccinated Queensland resident may enter Queensland after travelling to the restricted border zone for one of the following essential purposes and must quarantine in accordance with part 6A:

to obtain essential food, essential goods or essential services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, which cannot reasonably be obtained within Queensland; or

to obtain scheduled (as evidenced by appointment booking) medical care or other health care services such as pathology, medical imaging or radiology services, which cannot reasonably be obtained within Queensland; or

to obtain urgent unscheduled medical care or other health services, which cannot reasonably be obtained within Queensland; or

to obtain medical supplies which cannot reasonably be obtained within Queensland; or

to obtain a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine which cannot reasonably be obtained within Queensland; or

work performed by an emergency services worker responding to an emergency in Queensland or the border zone ; or

to fulfill a Court ordered obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

A n unvaccinated Queensland resident may enter Queensland after travelling to the non-restricted border zone for one of the purposes listed in paragraph 13 or any of the following permitted purposes.

to attend a childcare facility, school, university, or other educational institution for the purposes of receiving care or instruction or to transport a child to attend a childcare facility, school or other educational institution for these purposes.

to donate blood or blood products at a scheduled appointment at a blood collection centre in New South Wales; or

to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

A Queensland resident who is fully vaccinated may enter Queensland after travelling to the restricted border zone for one of the purposes listed in paragraph 13 or any of the following permitted purposes:

to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal in-person in the restricted border zone or to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal in-person in the restricted border zone ; or

A Queensland resident who re-enters Queensland under Part 2A after travelling to the border zone must only remain in the border zone for the time necessary to carry out one of the purposes listed in paragraphs 13, 14 or 15.

A Queensland resident who travels to the border zone for any purpose other than a purpose mentioned in paragraphs 13, 14 or 15, or as permitted under Part 1 or 3, may re-enter Queensland provided they:

meet the entry requirements of paragraph 4(b); or

have been provided an allocated entry date and designated entry airport to enter Queensland, confirmed in writing from a government authority; and

enter on the allocated entry date and to the designated entry airport mentioned in sub-paragraph (b); and

fulfil the evidentiary requirements for a Queensland resident specified in Part 3A and obtain a Queensland Border Declaration Pass ; and

quarantine in government-nominated accommodation in accordance with the general quarantine requirements in Part A of Schedule 2.

A Queensland resident may enter Queensland from the border zone if permitted under Part 1 or 3.

Notes: a Queensland resident permitted to enter Queensland under Part 3 must comply with the requirements in Schedule 1.

PART 2B — FACE MASKS

This part applies to a person in Queensland who is a border zone resident who has been in the restricted border zone in the preceding 14 days and is permitted to enter Queensland for an essential or permitted purpose under Part 2.

A person mentioned in paragraph 19 must:

carry a face mask at all times; and

wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth at all times if they are in an indoor space or an outdoor space including if they are:

required to do so in accordance with any other Public Health Directions in effect under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 ; or

Example – under the Mandatory Face Masks Direction (No. 2) or its successors, a person must wear a face mask at all times while on a domestic commercial aircraft flying in Queensland airspace.

are directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health) .

The requirements under paragraph 20 do not apply:

to infants and children under the age of 12 years; or

to a person in an indoor space that is their residence , or temporary accommodation and there is no other person present other than another household member; or

to a person for whom wearing a face mask would create any other serious risk to that person’s life or health and safety, and the person has a medical certificate from a medical practitioner confirming this; or

Examples – a person who is undertaking work where a mask could become tangled in machinery.

to a person travelling alone in a private vehicle or with only the members of their household ; or

to a prisoner in a corrective services facility , subject to any policies or requirements of that facility; or

to a detainee in a detention centre , subject to any policies or requirements of that centre; or

to a person communicating with those who are deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication; or

Note – a face shield should be used instead.

if the nature of a person’s work or education means that clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential; or

Example – a disability worker communicating to a patient.

Note – despite paragraph 21(h), teachers and staff in schools, and educators and staff in child-care centres must wear a mask at all times including during face-to-face learning except where paragraph 21(g) applies.

if the person is consuming food, drink or medicine; or

if a person is undergoing dental or medical care or treatment to the extent that such care or treatment requires that no face mask be worn; or

if a person is asked to remove the face mask to ascertain identity; or

Examples – a person may be asked by police, security, or airport staff to remove a face mask to ascertain identity or when purchasing alcohol or cigarettes.

for emergency purposes; or

Examples – a person escaping a fire or a risk of harm related to domestic and family violence or sexual violence .

if required or authorised by law; or

if doing so is not safe in all the circumstances.

A person who removes their face mask under paragraph 21 must resume wearing the face mask as soon as practicable after the circumstance ends.

Examples – a person must resume wearing a face mask as soon as they finish eating or receiving medical care.

Note – For further information on the use of face masks, please refer to the Queensland Health website as updated from time to time: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/face-masks .

Despite paragraph 21, a border zone resident who has been in the restricted border zone in the preceding 14 days who is not required to wear a mask under paragraph 52(b) may only enter Queensland for the following essential purposes:

Note: a border zone resident who has been in the restricted border zone in the preceding 14 days who is aged over the age of 12 years who is unable to wear a mask must not enter Queensland to obtain essential goods or supplies or to perform essential work or volunteering.

PART 3 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT

A person who does not meet the requirements of paragraphs 4(b) and has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, may only enter Queensland if the person:

is a Queensland resident or a new Queensland resident who arrives in Queensland by air and:

has been provided an allocated entry date and designated entry airport to enter Queensland, confirmed in writing from a government authority; and

is entering on the allocated entry date and to the designated entry airport mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i); and

fulfills the evidentiary requirements specified in Part 3A and obtains a Queensland Border Declaration Pass ; or

Note: this applies to an unvaccinated Queensland resident or unvaccinated new Queensland resident .

is required to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland or to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland; or

is required to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

is required to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

is required to perform an essential activity under Part 4 and can comply with any protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer that relates to the essential activity to be performed; or

arrives at an airport in Queensland by air and the person:

transfers directly to another flight to leave Queensland without leaving the confines of the airport and remains in the airport’s dedicated transit area at all times when requested by an emergency officer (public health); or

quarantines for up to 72 hours only until the time of their flight to leave Queensland; or

if the person arrives to Gold Coast airport from an approved airport , collects a private vehicle or hire care by contactless means, and transits directly by road to leave Queensland without leaving the vehicle; or

is a student at a boarding school and is entering Queensland for the purposes of receiving instruction, including a parent or guardian accompanying a student who is a minor; or

is entering Queensland to obtain essential health care , or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care, and provides written evidence from the health care provider of the time and place in Queensland that the health care is to be provided; or

Example – a parent bringing a child for treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital will need to provide evidence of the appointment such as a letter from the hospital.

is entering Queensland as a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service; or

has completed a minimum 14 days of quarantine or self-isolation at an ADF Quarantine Hotel immediately prior to entering Queensland; or

is entering Queensland as a Queensland resident or a border zone resident for an essential or permitted purpose under Part 2 or Part 2A.

However, an unaccompanied minor entering Queensland in accordance with paragraph 24 must not enter Queensland unless the minor:

is permitted to enter under Part 1 or 2; and

will, from their point of arrival in Queensland, be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult ; and

the parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult agrees to quarantine with the minor in accordance with the requirements in Part A of Schedule 2, if required.

Example – a parent is present at the Brisbane airport to meet the minor, accompany them to a government-nominated hotel and quarantine together so as to provide supervision as directed by an emergency officer (public health) .

Despite paragraph 25(c), an unaccompanied minor may quarantine in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 2 Part D if a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult has access to a nominated residential quarantine premises and the parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult :

agrees to quarantine with the minor in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 2 Part D; and

will travel with the minor to the nominated residential quarantine premises by prescribed transport.

Example – a parent is present at the Brisbane airport to meet the minor, accompany them to a nominated residential quarantine premises and home quarantines with them for 14 days.

A person permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 4(b) must:

give, or have given within the previous 14 days, a Queensland Border Declaration Pass under paragraph 38 unless not required to do so under paragraph 39; and

only enter by air unless this direction provides otherwise; and

Note: see paragraph 30 and column 5 of Schedule 1 for instances where entry other than by air is permitted.

only enter from an approved airport if specified in column 5 of Schedule 1; and

comply with the quarantine and evidence requirements of Parts 6 and 7.

A person not permitted to enter Queensland under this Direction, who has entered, is required to leave Queensland and until leaving may be directed to quarantine in government-nominated accommodation at their own expense by an emergency officer (public health) upon their arrival in Queensland until:

if the person arrived by air, the next available flight to the person’s place of origin; or

if the person arrived by road, the emergency officer reasonably believes it is safe for the person to leave Queensland.

Example – a person who enters Queensland by road may be directed to quarantine in government-nominated accommodation overnight to manage fatigue.

Despite paragraph 28, if an emergency officer (public health) determines that a person mentioned in paragraph 28 would be put at risk of harm if they returned to their place of origin, the person may be directed to quarantine in government-nominated accommodation by an emergency officer (public health) for 14 days upon their arrival in Queensland.

An emergency officer (public health) may direct a person to enter Queensland by road if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to respond to an emergency or serious situation.

PART 3A – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT – EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS OF QUEENSLAND RESIDENCY

A Queensland resident or new Queensland resident who is permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 24(a) must provide evidence of the following documents when applying for the Queensland Border Declaration Pass and made available if requested by an emergency officer (public health) upon entry to Queensland:

One of the following identity documents:

passport; or

Queensland driver or marine licence; or

Medicare card; or

adult proof of age or photo identification card; and

One of the following documents showing a Queensland residential address in the applicant’s name current within the last 6 months:

a contract of property purchase, lease or rental document, or mortgage or land ownership certificate; or

an electricity, gas or telephone account; or

a Queensland local government rates notice; or

a Queensland land tax valuation notice; or

a Queensland vehicle registration certificate; or

a renewal notice for Queensland driver licence or vehicle registration; or

a bank statement (with corresponding debit or credit card); or

an Australian Tax Office assessment or tax file number confirmation notice

Note: to avoid identity theft, the Australian Taxation Office recommends that the tax file number be blocked out on the form.

an Australian Electoral Commission document; or

Example – acknowledgement of electoral enrolment letter or electoral enrolment card

an official letter from Centrelink or the Department of Human Services.

If a new Queensland resident who is permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 24(a) is unable to provide evidence of a current Queensland residential address in the form mentioned in paragraph 31(b), one of the following documents must be provided:

a statement from an employer on the employer’s letterhead confirming the person’s employment in Queensland and including:

the business registration number (ABN, ACN); and

a daytime contact number and signature of a person authorised to sign on behalf of the employer; and

the new Queensland resident’s full name and residential address; or

Note: a new Queensland resident must not complete their own statement even if they are authorised to sign on behalf of their employer.

a statement from an educational institution on the institution’s letterhead confirming the person’s enrolment in Queensland and including:

a daytime contact number and signature of a person authorised to sign on behalf of the institution; and

the new Queensland resident’s full name, residential address and student identification number; or

a statutory declaration from a family member or other relevant person declaring that the new Queensland resident is permitted to permanently reside at the stated address for a period of at least 6 months and giving permission to be contacted by a government authority for verification.

PART 4 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT – ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY

A person performs an e ssential activity if the person is performing duties as any of the following:

a national defence, state security or police worker ;

an emergency health services or emergency services worker ;

a freight or logistics operator ;

an emergency infrastructure worker ;

a disaster management worker ;

a specialist or essential worker ;

air crew or maritime crew .

A person entering Queensland to perform an essential activity must:

if the person is not a Queensland resident , only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the essential activity ; and

keep the records required by paragraph 50(b); and

minimise contact with the community for a period of 14 days; and

to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing including by remaining at least 1.5 metres from other people; and

comply with any protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer that relates to the essential activity to be performed.

Example – Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland, Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland, or Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland.

A Queensland resident who arrives in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot, other than as permitted under paragraph 4(b):

is not permitted to enter Queensland on the basis they are performing an essential activity if the person’s departure from Queensland was:

unrelated to their work or duties, such as a departure for personal or recreational purposes; or

to attend work in a COVID-19 hotspot performing an essential activity and the person’s only place of work is in the COVID-19 hotspot ; and

will be treated as a Queensland resident under paragraph 24(a) and subject to the quarantine requirements in Part 6.

Example for paragraph (a)(i): a Queensland resident who is not fully vaccinated and is performing an essential activity while in Queensland but who departs Queensland and travels to a COVID-19 hotspot for personal reasons, will be required to quarantine when returning to Queensland in the same way as other returning Queensland residents and will not be permitted to leave quarantine to perform their essential activity .

Specialist or essential workers

Specialist or essential workers who meet the requirements of a hotspot traveller may enter Queensland under paragraph 4(b). Those who are unable to meet those requirements may be endorsed by a relevant Queensland Government Agency or Queensland Health where there is not a relevant Queensland Government Agency for a person or industry, as a specialist or essential worker if:

the services provided by the person are needed in Queensland; and

the services provided by the person cannot be obtained in Queensland; and

the services must be provided without delay; and

the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the services; and

the person’s employer or business has a quarantine management plan to manage preventing the transmission of COVID-19 among its employees and the community, and the plan is in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

the person provides evidence of the following documents if requested by an emergency officer (public health) and carries the documents at all times while in Queensland:

endorsement as a specialist or essential worker ;

quarantine management plan ; and

the person complies with any conditions forming part of their endorsement as a specialist or essential worker and the requirements in their quarantine management plan .

Example – continuity of electricity and power, telecommunications, data, critical infrastructure, water supply, utilities, sewerage, sanitation and waste and recycling management, petroleum, gas mining and resource operations, critical agricultural operations necessary to maintain food supply, health, construction, emergency services.

PART 5 – QUEENSLAND BORDER DECLARATION PASS

This part applies to:

a person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter; or

a freight or logistics operator who is entering Queensland from any other Australian State or Territory.

Note: a person who in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland has been overseas must comply with the requirements of the Requirements for International Arrivals Direction (No. 16), or its successor.

Note: Under paragraph 27(a), a Queensland Border Declaration Pass is valid for 14 days. A person does not have to do a new pass unless the person’s circumstances change. For example, if the person has developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or is required to self-isolate or quarantine after they completed their declaration.

A person mentioned in paragraph 27 must apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass prior to entering Queensland, unless they already have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass , and receive a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before entering Queensland and must:

declare whether the person has:

been overseas in the previous 14 days; and

been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter; and

had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days; and

declare the person’s name, date of birth, phone number, address and email address; and

for an adult – if requested, provide satisfactory evidence of identity; and

Examples of evidence of identity – driver licence, Medicare card

for a non-restricted border zone resident permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 4(d) or paragraph 11 declare whether the person has been to the restricted border zone in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland;

for a border zone resident or Queensland resident – if requested, provide satisfactory evidence the person resides in Queensland or the border zone ; and

for a border zone resident or Queensland resident permitted to enter Queensland under paragraphs 10 and 15 declare whether the person is fully vaccinated and

declare whether they will present for a COVID-19 test if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry; and

for a freight and logistics operator , declare whether the person:

does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 ; and

can comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements under the Operational Protocol for freight movements entering Queensland ; and

declare whether they will immediately isolate or quarantine ,, if after the person arrives in Queensland, they become a diagnosed person or a close contact under the Isolation of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.2) or its successors,; and

for a person mentioned in paragraph 4(b):

upload evidence of the person being fully vaccinated; and

Note: A person can obtain their immunisation history statement from the Australian Government using myGov, the Medicare mobile app or by calling the Australian Immunisation Register and requesting a statement to be posted. Information is available at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register/how-get-immunisation-history-statement . Where an immunisation history statement is not available, for example because the person was vaccinated overseas, a person may provide another form of written evidence.

If the COVID-19 test the person has undertaken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Queensland is a COVID-19 PCR test , upload evidence, where available, of the negative test result; and

Note: an emergency officer may request evidence that a person has undertaken the test and that the test result is negative. Where the person has evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, suitable evidence includes a screen shot of a text message from a COVID-19 PCR test laboratory or pathology provider outlining when the sample was collected, that the test result was negative, the date and time the text message was sent to the person, and the mobile phone number or pathology provider the message was sent from. Evidence of a Rapid Antigen Test result does not need to be uploaded.Where this applies, if requested by an Emergency Officer, a person must advise the test undertaken was a Rapid Antigen Test.

declare whether the COVID-19 test mentioned in paragraph 4(b)(ii) was undertaken while in the COVID-19 hotspot.

provide any other information or documents required by an emergency officer (public health) or required by the application for the Queensland Border Declaration Pass .

Examples of information required – names of people travelling together in the one party, planned date of arrival to Queensland and planned place of entry to Queensland, identity and address documents to support a person’s Queensland resident status.

Example of documents required – boarding pass for a person arriving by air.

The following persons are not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass :

an emergency health services or emergency service worker or national defence, state security or police worker responding to an emergency in Queensland; and

a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service; and

maritime crew , where permitted under the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

a person remanded in custody of a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency, subject to an extradition order, or otherwise, required to enter Queensland to comply with a court order or assist with or participate in an investigation or other action at the direction of the law enforcement agency; and

a disaster management worker , where permitted under the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: under the protocol a disaster management worker who is responding to a disaster (disaster response worker) is not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass. A disaster management worker who is entering Queensland to perform disaster prevention, preparation or recovery activities is required to have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

PART 6 – QUARANTINE

A person listed in column 1 of Schedule 1 who enters Queensland must quarantine in accordance with the requirements in column 4 of Schedule 1 if the person:

in the previous 14 days has been an international arrival ; or

has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, and does not meet the requirements under paragraph 4 (b) and is permitted to enter under Part 3; or

is a Queensland resident or border zone resident who entered a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone and does not meet the requirements under paragraph 4 (b), (d) or (e); or

is a Queensland resident who is unvaccinated and enters the border zone for a purpose that is not a permitted purpose

unless the requirements in Part 6A apply to the person because they are entering Queensland in accordance with paragraph 13.

A person required to quarantine under paragraph 40 (b), (c) or (d) who enters Queensland to perform an essential activity must comply with the general quarantine requirements in Part A of Schedule 2 unless provided otherwise by column 4 of Schedule 1 or a Chief Health Officer or delegate exemption.

A person required to quarantine under this part will be quarantined for a further period of 14 days from the end of the quarantine period if the person does not undertake a COVID-19 PCR test when requested to do so by an emergency officer (public health) , including as soon as possible after arrival at the nominated premises, and on day 12 or 13 of the person’s quarantine period.

Under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, an emergency officer (public health) can give a direction to a person to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes the direction is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Chapter 8, Part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005 applies to a person required to quarantine and requires a person to pay a fee for quarantine.

A person who is a domestic traveller who has been advised by the Chief Health Officer that the person may end quarantine before 14 days, may end quarantine before 14 days if the person:

complies with any advice provided by Queensland Health by means of text message or other communication; and

has undertaken a COVID-19 PCR test within 3 days prior to leaving quarantine and received a negative test result.

PART 6A – STAY AT HOME REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELLERS FROM THE BORDER ZONE

A Queensland resident permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 13, who has travelled to the restricted border zone for an essential purpose and is unvaccinated , must comply with the stay at home requirements in this Part at a private residence until 14 days have passed since the person was in the restricted border zone unless the person is complying with the quarantine requirements under Part 6.

The requirements in paragraph 40 and the requirements of this Part 6A do not apply to the following categories of Queensland residents who travelled to the restricted border zone to perform essential work or emergency volunteering :

work performed by an emergency health services or emergency services worker who is:

a Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew who is providing emergency medical care or transport to a patient, such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service crew or Careflight; or

a person responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation; or

a person required to provide fire or emergency services in response to an emergency in the restricted border zone ; or

work performed by a passenger transport operator ; or

A border zone resident who is unvaccinated and has been in the restricted border zone in the preceding 14 days permitted to enter Queensland under paragraph 8 who is required to stay in Queensland overnight or longer to complete the essential purpose, must comply with the stay at home requirements in this Part at a residence, workplace or temporary accommodation in Queensland, until they leave Queensland or unless the person is complying with the quarantine requirements under Part 6.

A Queensland resident or border zone resident mentioned in paragraphs 40 or 44, must not leave the place the person is observing the stay at home requirements under this part, except:

for a border zone resident who has been in the restricted border zone in the preceding 14 days , to carry out the essential purpose for which the border zone resident entered under paragraph 8; or

if the person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, for the purpose of obtaining a COVID-19 PCR test ; or

to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

Example — escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence.

in the event of an emergency situation; or

Example — a person leaving quarantine to go to a hospital for emergency medical treatment or due to an emergency at the premises such as fire or flood.

to obtain food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, including for pets, and for vulnerable persons; or

to obtain essential medical care or supplies or health supplies or to fulfil carer’s responsibilities; or

to perform essential work and the work is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s place of residence; or

exercising outdoors alone or with members of the household where the person is staying; or

if the person does not have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 , to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination in Queensland; or

if a person has been granted an exemption from the Chief Health Officer or delegate and has the permission of the operator of the facility, for the purpose of an end of life visit for a resident of a facility ; or

to leave Queensland by air by the most direct route without stopping unless the person has been identified as a close contact ; or

as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).

A person may allow up to 2 visitors per day to enter the place where the person is residing in addition to a person who:

usually resides at the premises or is residing at the premises for the purpose of quarantine; or

is required to enter the premises in an emergency; or

is entering to provide essential health care to a relevant person or to a person who resides at the premises; or

is otherwise required or permitted to enter under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) .

PART 7 – EVIDENTIARY PROVISIONS, RECORD-KEEPING AND MASKS

A person listed in column 1 of Schedule 1 who enters Queensland must have the evidence or documents listed in column 3 of Schedule 1.

Essential activities

A person who enters Queensland under paragraph 24 must:

if the person is entering to perform an essential activity under paragraph 24(e) – keep records of close contacts during the time the person is in Queensland;

otherwise – keep evidence of the basis on which entry is permitted.

For paragraph (a):

close contact means another person in the company of the first person

within 1.5 metres of each other for a period of 15 minutes or longer; and

the records required to be kept are:

the name, phone number and email address of the close contact and the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; and

if the name, phone number and email address are not known or it is not reasonably practicable to obtain them, the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; or

for persons entering as disaster management workers , the records required to be kept are those set out in the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

A requirement of this Direction to wear a face mask or surgical mask does not apply to:

a child under the age of 12 years; or

a person with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a mask unsuitable and the person has a medical certificate confirming this.

Examples: persons who have obstructed breathing, a serious skin condition on their face, an intellectual disability, a mental health illness, or who have experienced trauma.

PART 8 – EXEMPTIONS

The Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may give a person or class of persons an exemption:

to enter Queensland if the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or delegate considers the person or class of persons is essential for the proper functioning of the State and the person or class of persons must be physically present in Queensland; or

from a requirement of this Direction if other extreme exceptional circumstances exist.

An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.

PART 9 – DEFINITIONS

Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 4.

PART 10 – PENALTIES

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:

Failure to comply with public health directions

  • A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
  • Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr John Gerrard

Chief Health Officer

6 January 2022

Published on the Queensland Health website at 1am AEST 7 January 2022

Schedule 1 – Queensland Border Declaration Pass, Quarantine requirements and mode of entry

Requirements for entry to queensland – people who have been overseas in the last 14 days, requirements for entry to queensland under part 1, requirements for entry to queensland under parts 2, 2a, 3 and 4, schedule 2 – general quarantine requirements and other quarantine arrangements, part a – general quarantine requirements.

This part of Schedule 2 sets out the general quarantine requirements .

The person must:

quarantine in nominated premises and remain in that place for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland; and

travel to the nominated premises in the manner instructed by an emergency officer (public health) , or if not instructed by an emergency officer (public health) , by the most direct practical route and means to the place; and

not leave the nominated premises for a 14-day period, except:

for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care at a hospital ; or

to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

Example – escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence

to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal; or

to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

for air crew , to carry out essential regulatory or safety flight related duties including training or to attend their next work duty; or

Example: flight simulation training or safety and security training, including training that may be carried out while the person is not on their usual work shift or duty.

for a person directed to quarantine at a premises other than government-nominated accommodation , to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test ; or

to leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping; or

if the Chief Health Officer has advised that the person may end quarantine before 14 days and the person has undertaken a COVID-19 PCR test within 3 days prior to leaving quarantine and received a negative test result, and complies with any advice provided by Queensland Health by means of text message or other communication; or

as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to being able to leave quarantine for any reason other than:

an emergency situation; or

if directed to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation , not open the door to the nominated premises , except when:

leaving the nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 1(c); or

allowing a person to enter a nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 1(k); or

permitted by a quarantine facility worker to collect any food, laundry, medical supplies or other items left at the door of their nominated premises ; or

permitted by a quarantine facility worker to place any laundry, rubbish or other items directly outside the door of their nominated premises for collection; and

for a person directed to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation , must not:

physically interact with other guests from another nominated premises on a balcony of the nominated premises ; or

Note: a quarantined person should maintain physical distancing from other guests on other balconies at government-nominated accommodation

accept or exchange items with other guests between balconies at government-nominated accommodation ; or

enter any balcony other than a balcony of the person’s nominated premises .

wear a surgical mask whenever:

directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

leaving quarantine as permitted under paragraph 1(c); and

the door to a nominated premises within government-nominated accommodation is open as permitted under paragraph 1(e), unless:

it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

ensure any travel to leave and return to the nominated premises under paragraph 1(c)(i) is by:

ambulance service; or

an endorsed transport provider or

for a person not quarantining at government-nominated accommodation , private transport ; or

as otherwise required, permitted or allowed under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

ensure any travel to leave and return to the nominated premises under paragraphs 1(c)(ii)-(vii) and 1(c)(x) is by:

an endorsed transport provider; or

an emergency services vehicle in emergency or serious situations where the transport arrangements described in (i) or (ii) are not available; or

for air crew , private transport or an endorsed transport provider or

ensure any travel to leave the nominated premises under paragraph 1(c)(viii) is by:

not permit any other person to enter the nominated premises unless that other person:

resides in the nominated premises or is also quarantining at the nominated premises ; or

enters the nominated premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the nominated premises , including a COVID-19 PCR test ; or

enters to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

enters the nominated premises to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal; or

enters to respond to an emergency situation; or

will be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on the request of an emergency officer (public health).

A person who is permitted to leave their nominated premises during the period of quarantine must take all reasonable steps to minimise contact with other persons.

A person unable to live independently without ongoing or regular support, including disability support, due to significant health or disability needs, may have a carer or support person quarantine at the nominated premises with them at their own expense.

A minor required to quarantine under this Direction, must quarantine in a nominated premises with a parent, guardian or other responsible adult.

Part B – Quarantine completed in another Australian State/Territory

A person permitted to enter Queensland under Part 3, is required to quarantine as required by the general quarantine requirements set out in Part A of Schedule 2 unless the person:

has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine at a location with a security overlay facilitated by the relevant government authority in another Australian State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland;

Examples: a government mandated quarantine hotel, hospital or other facility. This would not include quarantine completed at a private residence.

has completed a minimum 14 days of quarantine or self-isolation in an ADF Quarantine Hotel in another Australian State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland; or

has completed self-isolation in another Australian State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland and is a cleared case of COVID-19 ; and

provides the following to an emergency officer (public health) :

written confirmation of the person’s quarantine or self-isolation period from a government authority of another Australian State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine or self-isolation was completed, or from a Commonwealth government authority for ADF personnel; and

written confirmation from the health authority of another Australian State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine or self-isolation was completed, or from a Commonwealth government authority for ADF personnel, that the person had a negative COVID-19 PCR test result after day 10 (or later) of the government mandated quarantine; and

Note: a person who has completed self-isolation in another Australian State or Territory must be able to provide evidence that they are a cleared case of COVID-19 .

an undertaking that the person wore a face mask ; and

an undertaking that the person travelled by the most practicable direct route without stopping from the place of government mandated quarantine to an approved airport to depart the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport.

Note: see paragraph 7 for permitted means of travel from the place of government mandated quarantine to an approved airport.

Any travel under paragraph 5 must be by private transport .

Note: private transport does not include a bus or shuttle service including an airport shuttle, airport transfer service or regional or inter-city bus service.

A person who is unable to meet the requirements as prescribed in paragraph 5 above must quarantine in accordance with the general quarantine requirements .

A person who satisfies paragraph 5(a),(b) or (c) and paragraph 5(d)(i), (iii) and (iv) but is unable to meet the requirement in paragraph 5(d)(ii), must quarantine for 14 days or until they receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, whichever is the shorter period.

For example, a returning Queensland resident who has completed government mandated quarantine for 14 days in another Australian State or Territory but has not had a negative COVID-19 PCR test , will be required to quarantine in Queensland until they receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test .

Part C – Quarantine requirements when entering for essential health care

A person entering Queensland for essential health care , or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care , must quarantine for the period of time they are required to be present in Queensland unless they are hotspot travellers . Once care is complete, they must leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping. A person is not required to remain in quarantine for 14 days if their treatment is less than 14 days.

A person entering Queensland for essential health care , or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care must:

for a day admission, procedure or appointment, the person and any support person must minimise contact with the general public, including as follows:

the person and any support person must remain within the confines of the place care is being received and leave Queensland immediately following the treatment or appointment; or

for a support person accompanying a person to or from Queensland to receive care, the support person must remain within the confines of the place care is being received until the care is complete, or immediately leave Queensland without stopping after dropping off or picking up the person receiving care in Queensland; or

for a person remaining in Queensland for more than one day, who is not a hotspot traveller , must quarantine as follows:

for a person required to stay in Queensland for more than one day who is not admitted into a facility or service, within the confines of the place care is being received or in government-nominated accommodation at their own expense until the time the care is complete, and they leave Queensland; or

for a person admitted at a hospital, facility or service for more than one day, at the place of admission; or

for a support person who needs to remain in Queensland for more than one day, in government-nominated accommodation or, subject to any other public health direction and the hospital or facility’s ability to accommodate, within the confines of the place care is being received.

Part D – Home Quarantine requirements

An unaccompanied minor and parent, legal guardian or responsible adult who is required to quarantine under sub-paragraphs 24(b) to (e) at a nominated residential quarantine premises must:

not leave the nominated residential quarantine premises for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival in Queensland, other than for the following purposes:

for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care at a  hospital ; or

to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test ; or

to end quarantine before 14 days if the Chief Health Officer has advised that the person may end quarantine early and the person has undertaken a COVID-19 PCR test in the previous 3 days and received a negative test result and agrees to comply with any advice provided by Queensland Health by means of text message or other communication; and

not permit any other person to enter the private residence unless that other person:

resides in the private residence and is also quarantining at the private residence ; or

enters to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the private residence , including a COVID-19 PCR test ; or

is an essential worker required to attend the property; or

enters as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

maintain contact records for any person attending the property during the quarantine period, including:

the date, time and location at which the essential worker entered the property; and

if possible, the name, phone number and email address of the essential worker who entered the property; and

undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on Day 1 and 12 of the quarantine period and at any other time during the quarantine period if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19; and

use prescribed transport to go to a COVID-19 testing centre; and

use a drive-through COVID-19 testing centre where available, or if a drive-through COVID-19 testing centre is not available:

on arrival at the COVID-19 PCR testing centre, advise the healthcare professionals that they are in quarantine and are attending for routine testing; and

maintain at least 1.5 metres physical distance, where reasonably practicable, from all persons other than members of their household; and

wear a face mask at all times when leaving the property for a permitted purpose or when a person enters the property for a permitted purpose;

use prescribed transport when travelling to or from the nominated residential quarantine premises for a permitted purpose, without stopping, except in an emergency or if directed to do so by law enforcement, and taking the most direct route possible; and

use the Home Quarantine Check In Service in compliance with the Use of Technology to Support Home Quarantine Direction during the quarantine period to confirm their location and compliance with the home quarantine requirements.

Any records required to be kept under Schedule 2, Part D, paragraph 11(c) must be provided to an emergency officer (public health) or contact tracing officer, if requested.

An unaccompanied minor who does not comply with the requirements in Schedule 2, Part D paragraphs 11 to 13, is required to quarantine with a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult at government nominated accommodation for the remainder of the quarantine period

A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult who does not comply with the requirements in Schedule 2, Part D paragraphs 11 to 13, is required to quarantine with the unaccompanied minor at government nominated accommodation for the remainder of the quarantine period.

SCHEDULE 3 – BORDER ZONE

The border zone comprises the geographical areas within the following postcodes and Local Government Areas, which are represented visually on a map approved by the CHO and published on the Queensland Health website: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland#travel-declaration-map .

SCHEDULE 4 – DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

ADF means the Australian Defence Force.

ADF air crew means

an ADF air crew member performing military tasking in accordance with a lawful order, excluding members ordinarily travelling for posting or leave purposes; or

an off-shift ADF air crew member travelling as a passenger on an aircraft to reposition at another location to immediately commence military tasking in accordance with a lawful order.

ADF Quarantine Hotel means a hotel approved by the ADF with a quarantine management and infection control plan equivalent to the health authority of the relevant Australian State or Territory in which it is located and security overlay provided by the ADF .

Air crew means domestic air crew on active duty including:

airline general aviation crew and off-shift crew who are travelling as passengers on an aircraft to reposition at a Queensland airport to immediately commence duty within 72 hours of arrival in Queensland; or

off-shift crew returning to Queensland after undertaking essential safety or regulatory training; or

aeromedical crew entering Queensland for the purposes of undertaking essential safety or regulatory training or returning to Queensland after undertaking this training in a COVID-19 hotspot .

but excluding international air crew and Queensland-based air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successor.

Note: international air crew and Queensland-based air crew entering Queensland who have been overseas must comply with the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Public Health Direction or its successor.

Air crew or maritime crew means a person who is a member of an air crew or maritime crew who is entering Queensland in the course of their duties.

Approved airport means any airport in Australia .

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Border zone means the areas within the postcodes listed in Schedule 3 (represented on the map approved by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website) including the areas of the non-restricted border zone and the restricted border zone .

Note: a copy of the map is available at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/travel-declaration-map

Border zone resident means a person whose primary place of residence is in the border zone .

Cleared case of COVID-19 means a person who was a confirmed case of COVID-19 and has, in the 14 days before entering Queensland, been given a letter or other written evidence from a doctor or health authority of the jurisdiction where they were diagnosed that they are cleared of COVID-19, or whose isolation has ended under the public health direction or order of the jurisdiction in which they completed their isolation .

Close contact has the same meaning as in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.2) , or its successors, or in an equivalent public health direction or public health order of another Australian State or Territory.

Confines of the airport means the terminal or terminals of an airport used for the arrival and departure of aircraft and passengers by air, or the area of an airport that the person uses to transfer directly between terminals.

Example: a person did not leave the confines of the airport if they stay in a passenger terminal until their next flight or transferred directly between terminals to depart on their flight. However, a person leaves the confines of the airport if they go to a hotel in the airport precinct and stay overnight.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 means a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, including by a positive COVID-19 test result, who is not a cleared case of COVID-19 .

Contact details means a person’s full name, date of birth, telephone number for either the person or a parent, guardian or responsible adult for a minor, email address or a parent, guardian or responsible adult for a minor, home address and intended address upon departure from quarantine at government-nominated accommodation .

Contact tracing officer means a person appointed as a contact tracing officer under the Public Health Act 2005 .

COVID-19 hotspot means a particular area of Australia decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website ( https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction ).

COVID-19 PCR test means for a person who is:

12 months of age or over, an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus; or

under 12 months of age, a saliva swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

Note: A COVID-19 PCR test does not include a self-test.

COVID-19 related duties means a person was on duty in a COVID-19 hotspot in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency performing duties such as supervising quarantine, giving quarantine directions or transporting confirmed cases of COVID-19 or cleared cases of COVID-19 but does not include office-based or remote work such as working in an emergency or disaster coordination centre.

COVID-19 test means:

a COVID-19 PCR test or Rapid Antigen Test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccine was obtained overseas.

Note: Information about the World Health Organization COVAX program and WHO emergency use listing is available here: WHO COVID-19 vaccines .

Diagnosed person has the same meaning as in the Isolation of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.2), or its successors

Dedicated transit area means an area of an airport that has been allocated by an airport for exclusive use by passengers transiting through Queensland who have been in COVID-19 hotspots.

Disaster management has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003 .

Disaster operations has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003 .

Disaster management worker means a person who is endorsed in accordance with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/border-restrictions/operational-protocol-for-disaster-management-workers-entering-queensland .

Note: The approved protocol applies to certain persons who perform disaster management or disaster operations or who respond to or assist in the recovery from a public safety emergency.

Domestic traveller means a fully vaccinated person who travelled into Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot and:

met the entry requirements in paragraph 40(a) of the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 54) or the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 55) , and

quarantines in accordance with Schedule 2 Part D, and

is not an international arrival .

Note: a domestic traveller does not include a person who has been in a place outside Australia within the last 14 days even where the person has been in another State or Territory of Australia after being overseas and before entering Queensland.

Eligible health professional means any of the following:

a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth ); or

a fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth) ; or

a person on Medicare’s Vocation Register of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth) ; or

a practice registrar on an approved 3GA training placement; or

a paediatrician; or

a public health physician; or

an infectious diseases physician; or

a clinical immunologist.

Emergency health services or emergency services worker means:

a Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a New South Wales Ambulance employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew who is providing patient transport or emergency medical care to a patient such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service or CareFlight;

a person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation;

a person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for providing critical health support services for the critical maintenance, resupply or repair of health services infrastructure critical to Queensland, including an employee of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; and

a person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland including rural fire service, state emergency services and firefighters.

Emergency infrastructure worker means a person required to respond to an emergency in a time critical situation that could affect continued network services supply or security in Queensland, or part of Queensland, where the services cannot reasonably practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency, in one of the following areas:

energy generation, transmission or distribution networks; or

drinking water supply, or sewerage services; or

liquid fuel supply; or

resources sector; or

telecommunications, data services, broadcast or communications infrastructure.

Example – An emergency infrastructure worker includes a person required to provide critical maintenance, overhaul, resupply or repair of energy service infrastructure critical to Queensland and the services cannot practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency.

Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

Note: Emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 include environmental health officers and police.

Emergency volunteering means volunteering for any community or government welfare, social, safety, emergency or disaster service.

Example – a State Emergency Service or rural fire brigade volunteer may enter or leave while performing their volunteer duties.

Endorsed transport provider means a person, business or entity that provides a transport service to a person who is required to quarantine and is endorsed by a government authority and has a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: Information about endorsed transport providers and Transport Plans is available here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/covid-19-testing-for-quarantine-facility-workers/endorsed-transport-providers .

Essential activity see paragraph 33.

Essential food means groceries.

Essential goods means good that are necessary for the household, such as a replacement refrigerator.

Essential health care means health care that cannot reasonably be obtained in their State or Territory of residence, or routine clinical care where there is continuity of service provided within an established clinical relationship, that is:

a Queensland Children’s Hospital appointment, confirmed in writing by the hospital; or

an appointment at a Queensland Hospital and Health Service or associated outreach location, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment at a Queensland private health facility or an ancillary clinic or service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment with a prescribed health practitioner at another premises, confirmed in writing by the practitioner or provider in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include services provided by a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS Plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service.

Note: The approved form is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0022/1000498/essential-health-care-form-qld-border.docx .

Note: If a person’s State or Territory of residence is currently not allowing for elective surgery or non-essential healthcare to be offered to residents, this healthcare cannot be instead accessed in Queensland.

Essential services includes but is not limited to, services such as Centrelink and Australia Post.

Essential work refers to work that is urgently required for safety reasons, for emergency repairs, or that is necessary to maintain essential services and supplies to the community, or to a part of the community, performed by:

a medical practitioner or other prescribed health practitioner ; or

a pathology collection worker, including a pathology courier; or

an aged care or disability worker, where considered essential to maintain continuity of care for aged care recipients or people with disability; or

by an emergency health services or emergency services worker ; or

national defence, state security or police worker ; or

school passenger transport operator excluding taxi, limousine and rideshare operators; or

an emergency infrastructure worker ; or

air crew or maritime crew ; or

by an emergency volunteer ; or

by a disaster management worker ; or

by a critical infrastructure worker; or

by a tradesperson or construction worker for essential or emergency construction or essential or emergency repairs only; or

a person endorsed by the chief executive of a Queensland Government agency as an essential worker.

Essential worker has the same meaning as essential work and includes only the types of workers listed.

Note: to remove any doubt, people not included as essential worker include, but are not limited to, teachers, anyone who can perform their work remotely, childcare workers, hospitality workers, sales representatives and commercial construction workers on non-critical projects.

Evidence of a recognised medical contraindication means the person has a current:

COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register, or

Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation medical exemptions form completed and signed by an eligible health professional for the COVID-19 vaccine .

Notes: some medical contraindications are temporary and therefore the record or completed form may only be valid for a period of time.

A current completed and signed AIR immunisation medical exemption form is valid in printed or digital form.

Face mask means a surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield).

Note – a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Freight or logistics operator means any person, other than air crew or maritime crew , who is:

entering Queensland in the course of their employment as:

a heavy vehicle driver; or

rail crew or a rail driver; or

a non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operator; or

a logistics or support worker; or

Example – A logistics or support worker includes a specialist mechanic, aircraft or rail engineer providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of commercial freight. A logistics or support worker does not include a person undertaking activities that can be performed remotely, such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting.

any other person essential to the delivery of freight in the course of a freight movement; and

Example – A person essential to the delivery of freight includes, but is not limited to, two-up drivers, a pilot or escort for an oversized or overmass vehicle or tow truck driver for heavy vehicle salvage.

providing one of the following services:

transporting freight to, from or through Queensland under a commercial freight operation; or

transporting passengers by road or rail to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation; or

providing logistics or support for the transport which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support; or

repositioning in Queensland immediately before commencing a shift for one of the purposes in (i) to (iii).

Fully vaccinated means a person:

has received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine , and it has been 7 days since the final dose; or

is under 16 years of age; or

is unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine because of a recognised medical contraindication and has evidence of a recognised medical contraindication; or

has a medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner, certifying that the person is currently taking part in a COVID- 19 vaccine trial and receipt of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved vaccine would impact the validity of the trial.

Note: The medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner about the clinical trial will only be valid for a period of time.

Note: Proof of receiving the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine includes a COVID-19 digital certificate, an immunisation history statement (printed or digital) or an international COVID- 19 vaccination certificate.

General quarantine requirements mean the requirements set out in Part A of Schedule 2.

Government-nominated accommodation means hotel or other accommodation premises at which the person is directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health) .

Home Quarantine Check In Service means the arrangements described in the Use of Technology to Support Home Quarantine Direction .

Household member means a person who ordinarily resides at the nominated residential quarantine premises , and who will continue to reside at the private residence during the quarantine period for the domestic traveller .

Hospital means:

a hospital, as defined in Schedule 2 to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011; or

a private health facility, as defined in section 8 of the Private Health Facilities Act 1999 ; or

a multi-purpose service, as defined in section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014 made under section 96-1 of the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth) .

Hotspot traveller means a person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, and:

has undertaken a COVID-19 test at a COVID-19 hotspot within 3 days of the persons arrival in Queensland and the person has received a negative test result; and

Indoor space means an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are:

permanent or temporary; or

open or closed.

International air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successors.

International arrival means a person who arrives in Queensland on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight or a person who, in the 14 days immediately before their arrival to Queensland:

has been in a place outside Australia , other than a safe travel zone country ; or

arrived in Australia by sea; or

arrived in Australia by air on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight , regardless of whether the flight originated from a safe travel zone country ; or

has been in a place declared a safe travel zone country hotspot .

but excluding international air crew and Queensland based air crew and ADF air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successors.

Isolate means:

the person is to travel directly to premises that are suitable to reside in and remain in those premises until a negative test result is received and they are symptom-free; or

travel directly to, or remain at, a hospital for medical treatment, and following treatment and discharge from the hospital, travel directly to premises that are suitable to reside in and remain in those premises until a negative test result is received and they are symptom-free; and

must not leave the premises except to:

obtain essential medical care at a hospital;

avoid injury or escape a risk of harm; or

as otherwise permitted or required under a direction given by the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

must wear a surgical mask whenever directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health) and when leaving isolation as permitted by paragraph (c), unless it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or risk of harm.

Maritime crew includes anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a vessel , including supernumeraries.

Minor means a person under the age of 18 years.

National defence, state security or police worker means:

any Government official who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the safety of Australia or Queensland against threats such as terrorism, war or espionage, and is required to be physically present in Queensland for these purposes;

an active member of the military required to be on duty while in Queensland;

an active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency required to be on duty while in Queensland;

a Federal, State, Territory or local government elected representative who is travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland; and

consular officers or consular employees of a consular post of an overseas country as defined in the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth) travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland.

Note: Consular officials and consular employees are granted immunity from jurisdiction in certain circumstances under the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth).

New Queensland resident means a person who is moving to Queensland to make it their principal place of residence and who can provide written evidence that they are relocating to Queensland if required by an emergency officer (public health) and evidence of where they will be residing upon completion of their mandatory quarantine as required by Part 3A or as requested by an emergency officer (public health) .

Nominated premises means:

a person’s allocated room within government-nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health) ; or

for air crew , the accommodation provided by the person’s employer for air crew or the air crew’s residence; or

another premises as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

Note: A person may be required to pay a fee for quarantine under chapter 8, Part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005.

Nominated residential quarantine premises means a self-contained dwelling with no shared common areas accessible by any persons other than those residing at the dwelling, that an unaccompanied minor and parent, legal guardian or responsible adult quarantines at in accordance with Part D.

Note: A self-contained dwelling may include a standalone (detached) house, or a unit, duplex or townhouse where there are no shared common areas, with separate entrance (fresh air to front door) that requires no access via shared enclosed areas such as a foyer, stairwell or lift. It may include temporary commercial accommodation (for example, a short-term rental accommodation). It does not include an apartment within a highrise building, hotel room, house boat or caravan, motorhome or caravan park cabin.

Non-restricted border zone means the local government areas decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website ( https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction )

Note: these areas are represented on the map approved by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/travel-declaration-map

Non-restricted border zone resident means a person whose primary place of residence is in the non-restricted border zone .

Outdoor space means a space that is not an indoor space .

Organised sport means a sporting activity organised by a community club, religious organisation, school or educational institution.

Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Program (PLS/SWP) workers has the same meaning as in the Seasonal Workers Health Management and International Quarantine Plans Direction (No.2) or its successor.

Prescribed health practitioner means a person registered to provide the following services:

dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist);

medical radiation practice;

occupational therapy;

paramedicine;

physiotherapy;

psychology;

services as a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS plan.

Prescribed transport means any of the following with a maximum seating capacity of no more than 11 people:

a hire car; or

a private; or

an endorsed transport provider .

Private residence means a privately-owned dwelling but does not include temporary commercial accommodation (for example, a hotel, holiday rental or Air BnB).

Private transport means:

for Schedule 2, Part A:

a private vehicle; or

for Part 1, paragraph 6 or Schedule 2, Part B:

if travel by (i) is not available, a taxi with a protective shield between driver and passenger or a taxi van that allows for physical distancing between the driver and passengers; or

if travel by (i) and (ii) is not available, a taxi or ride share sitting in the back seat on the passenger side.

Public safety emergency means:

an emergency in the Public Safety Preservation Act 1986 ; or

an equivalent emergency that is declared by another State or Territory government or government agency under a law in the other State or Territory.

Quarantine means to quarantine in accordance with the requirements in Schedules 1 and 2 .

Quarantine facility worker means an individual, including an employee, volunteer or contractor who performs a quarantine service at government-nominated accommodation .

Quarantine-free flight means a flight that only carries passengers who have completed an Australian Travel Declaration at least 3 days prior to departure declaring:

details of their health status; and

that they have been in a safe travel zone country for 14 days or more and have not been in a safe travel zone country hotspot .

Note: Information about quarantine free flights is available from the Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/new-zealand-safe-travel-zone . Determinations about quarantine-free flights are made by the relevant airline.

Quarantine management plan means a plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Quarantined person means an individual who has been directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health ) under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005 .

Quarantine service means a service or work of any kind during the course of which a person is physically present at government-nominated accommodation , or a service in relation to government-nominated accommodation , which is identified in the operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers approved by the Chief Health Officer including:

Example: providing medical care to or taking a swab for COVID-19 testing from a quarantined person

personal care;

Example: assisting a quarantined person with a disability with personal care needs such as showering

Example: monitoring and directing the movement of a quarantined person within the government-nominated accommodation

Example: cleaning a guest room at which a quarantined person is residing or has resided including after the quarantined person has departed

any other service identified in the Operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers approved by the Chief Health Officer .

Example: providing check in or check out services for a quarantined person, preparing meals for consumption by staff or guests, maintaining hotel premises, or driving a bus transporting quarantined persons.

Queensland-based air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.3) or its successors.

Queensland Border Declaration Pass see Part 5.

Queensland private health facility means a facility licensed under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999 .

Queensland resident is a person whose principal place of residence is in Queensland and who provides evidence as required by Part 3A or requested by an emergency officer (public health) .

Responsible adult is an adult who has been given written consent by an unaccompanied minor’s parent or legal guardian to complete quarantine with the minor and who has consented to complete the quarantine with the minor.

Restricted border zone means the local government areas decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website ( https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction )

Safe travel zone has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and other Requirements for International Arrivals Direction (No. 15) , or its successor.

Safe travel zone country has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and other Requirements for International Arrivals Direction (No. 15) , or its successors.

Safe travel zone country hotspot has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and other Requirements for International Arrivals Direction (No. 15), or its successors.

School passenger transport operator means a person, other than a taxi, limousine or rideshare operator, who is entering Queensland in the course of their employment:

transporting passengers who are school students by road to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation;

to collect or return a passenger or public transport vehicle to a depot at the start or end of a commercial passenger or public transport operation.

Specialist or essential worker means a person providing services in Queensland who has been endorsed by a Queensland Government Agency under paragraph 35.

Surgical mask means a single use, surgical mask with a minimum level 1 barrier protection level under the Australian Standard (AS 4381:2015) that covers the nose and mouth.

Symptoms co nsistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unaccompanied minor is a child who is not in the presence of a responsible adult.

Unvaccinated means a person who is not fully vaccinated .

Vessel means a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length. It does not apply to cruise vessels, private vessels, super yachts or recreational vessels .

Understanding this Direction

Information to help you understand what the closure of the Queensland border means to travellers and residents.

Find out more

Queensland entry pass

You must complete a  Queensland entry pass to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, including returning Queensland residents.

Class Exemptions:

Recovered cases of covid-19 entering from a hotspot.

The class exemption for Recovered cases of COVID-19 arriving in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot (PDF 152 kB) exempts people who recovered from COVID-19 from having to fulfil the COVID-19 PCR testing requirement in the Border Restrictions Direction - paragraph 4(b)(ii) - when entering Queensland from a hotspot.

Completion of hotel quarantine

The class exemption for Queensland residents and new residents who have completed hotel quarantine (PDF 325 kB) allows Queensland residents and new Queensland residents to cross from a COVID-19 hotspot by air if they have completed 14 days of quarantine in another Australian jurisdiction.

Protocols approved by the Chief Health Officer

Protocol for maritime crew —for maritime crew entering Queensland to join a vessel or sign off a vessel.

Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland —for freight operators entering Queensland to deliver goods.

Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland —for persons entering Queensland to perform disaster management or disaster operations activities or to respond to a public safety emergency.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Checklist

When facilitating crew changeovers, agents are required to follow the protocol and seek Regional Harbour Master endorsement using the MSQ checklist prior to a transfer being endorsed.

Specialist Workers

A person arriving from a COVID-19 hotspot may be considered a specialist worker required to provide emergency services or continuity of government services, infrastructure or utilities critical to Queensland.

Last updated: 15 January 2022

  • Travel Updates
  • Health & Safety

Travel restrictions: Qld must reopen borders or face legal action

The Queensland government have ignored threats from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to open the borders by Friday or face legal action.

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The time is up for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who had until 4pm Thursday to open state borders or face legal action taken by One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson.

Ms Hanson demanded Queensland’s Labor government reopen the state’s borders by Thursday afternoon, or face legal action in the High Court. The One Nation senator made the threat on Wednesday after accusing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of “destroying people’s lives” and livelihoods, and branding the border closures unconstitutional.

It is understood Senator Hanson has been given the go ahead to challenge section 92 of the constitution, which guarantees residents of Australia can move freely between each of the states and territories.

News.com.au understands the One Nation leader will file a Section 92 challenge in the High Court either today or early next week with lawyers at Brisbane-based law firm Mahoneys.

“Following the Queensland Premier’s refusal to re-open the state’s border by 4pm yesterday, lawyers acting on behalf of several Queensland businesses expect to file a Section 92 challenge in the High Court,” a statement from Senator Hanson read.

“I am disappointed in the Queensland tourism body, the state Mayors, and those industry leaders who failed to take up this fight and challenge Annastacia Palaszczuk over the border closure.

“I do however want to congratulate the plantiffs in this case, who have very strong prospects and have stepped forward to take on this rogue state government.”

RELATED: Queensland could be cut out of trans-Tasman travel bubble

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had until 4pm Thursday to decide on border closures. Picture: Annette Dew

RELATED: Queensland slams NSW over encouraging travel

The Queensland state government is under pressure on a number of political fronts to reverse the closures put in place during the coronavirus crisis to stem the spread of the deadly infection.

The closures have been criticised by the tourism industry, which is bearing the brunt of job and financial losses, LNP MPs and the NSW Premier, who all believe they have gone on for too long.

Senator Hanson’s party and representing law firm Mahoneys sent a letter to Ms Palaszczuk on Tuesday telling her she has until Thursday to respond, and asking to see the documented advice on the closures from the state’s chief medical officer.

“We act for various persons who consider the border ban is invalid under Commonwealth constitution and was not authorised by the Public Health Act 2005,” the letter stated.

“If you do not give that undertaking, and if you do not otherwise satisfy us that the border ban is valid, we expect to receive instructions to commence proceedings in the High Court of Australia seeking a declaration that the border ban is invalid.

“Every day that the border ban remains in place, it is doing irreparable harm to families and businesses in Queensland and other parts of the nation. The border ban is inflicting this harm at a time when people of Queensland and Australia are already under grave and economic stress. Every day you delay, the greater the resultant harm is.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been critical of the Queensland government’s decision to keep the state border closed. Picture: Dean Lewins/AAP

Senator Hanson told Nine’s Today program on Wednesday that if the request was ignored, a challenge to the constitutionality of the closures will be filed in the High Court by the end of the week.

“I couldn’t let this rest. Annastacia Palaszczuk is actually destroying people’s lives, their livelihoods and businesses and they can’t go on,” Senator Hanson said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles hit back at Senator Hanson, saying she’s simply “desperate” for headlines.

“It was only a month ago, I think, that Pauline Hanson was saying we should have a border in north Queensland,” Mr Miles said, according to the Courier Mail.

“I think she is more desperate to seek headlines than she is concerned about this virus and its impact on Queenslanders.

“The Queensland Government is putting the interests, the health and the wellbeing of Queenslanders first and will continue to do so regardless of what Pauline Hanson or her mates have to say.”

Earlier today, the tourism minister’s office released figures indicating the state will take a $2 billion hit to the economy if state borders remain closed to other states until September.

The figures show that of all the states in the country, Queensland has the highest reliance on other states visiting for recreational travel, with just under 50 per cent of the total being from interstate tourists.

Speaking on Sky News on Thursday, Senator Hanson labelled the Queensland Premier as “pig-headed” and a “dictator” who is “destroying” people’s lives by keeping the borders closed.

“There’s no real reason to keep the borders shut,” she said.

The state government has previously dismissed the legal threat, saying it has to balance the timing of the reopening of the borders with medical advice. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the states that have closed their borders – Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – were sovereign states and could make those decisions.

“But they’ve got to be accountable for it, though. There is no medical advice that we received nationally,” he told the Ten Network’s Studio Ten program.

Senator Pauline Hanson has labelled Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ‘pig-headed’ over the border debate. Picture Gary Ramage

Constitutional Law expert George Williams, however, told Sky News that the One Nation leader may succeed in the High Court.

“They may be on a winner on this one,” Mr Williams said of Hanson’s legal action.

“This is an area where the constitution speaks in emphatic terms about free movement. It’s also true that this can’t continue forever … if they can’t show that medical evidence is enough to close the borders, they are in with a shot and it’s possible the High Court will strike down these border closures.”

Meanwhile, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall says there would be no “net gain” in opening his state back up to tourists as the row over state border closures ramps up. Alongside Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory continue to stand firm on their decision to keep state borders closed until the coronavirus threat lifts. When asked about the border closure, SA Premier Steven Marshall was emphatic that they would remain closed and insisted there would be no “net gain” in reopening them in winter.

– With AAP

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Easter travel restrictions 2024

Some states and territories have travel restrictions in place over the Easter holiday period that limit travel for Class 1 heavy vehicles (agricultural, oversize/overmass and special purpose vehicles).

The information below outlines the most common Easter restrictions, however, we recommend operators check their permits and relevant notices for what restrictions are applicable and confirm with their relevant state and territory road transport authority .

Australian Capital Territory

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.

New South Wales

State-wide oversize travel curfews are imposed during public holiday periods across the state for Class 1 oversize heavy vehicles .

Travel restrictions apply for oversize load carrying vehicles, such as low loaders transporting oversize equipment, during the Easter long weekend. These requirements are outlined in the New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide (PDF, 1.18MB) and additional requirements for vehicles under an access permit in the additional access conditions for oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads.

Transport for NSW has provided an overview of these holiday travel requirements on  NSW State-wide oversize holiday curfews .

Details of the travel requirements for agricultural vehicles during the 2024 Easter holiday period are outlined in the  National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide .

No travel is permitted on any State road from 8.30 am on the first day of the public holiday to 11:59 pm on the final day of the public holiday period for any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice travelling in Zone 1:

  • wider than 2.5m and/or
  • longer than 22m.

Any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice is travelling in Zone 3 and Zone 5:  

  • wider than 3.2m and/or
  • longer than 22m

May only operate during a public holiday period if they are accompanied by (at a minimum) a pilot vehicle, unless travelling a distance of up to 500m between paddocks adjoining public roads.

Please note the New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide was recently updated so that a Class 1 heavy vehicle transporting agricultural cotton may operate on the following roads during daylight hours from sunrise Easter Saturday until sunset Easter Sunday.

  • the Newell Highway from north of Coonabarabran to Goondiwindi 
  • the Kamilaroi Highway from Narrabri to Gunnedah 
  • the Gwydir Highway from the Newell Highway to Warialda
  • the Bruxner Highway from Boggabilla to Yetman
  • the Riverina Highway from Berrigan to Finley
  • the Murray Valley Highway from Deniliquin to the Newell Highway near Finlay
  • the Kidman Way from Hillston to the intersection of the Newell Highway near Jerilderie
  • the Mid Western Highway from Goolgowi to West Wyalong.

Northern Territory

An oversize vehicle or combination must not be driven on any road in Queensland from 12.01am Thursday 28 March 2024 to 11.59pm Tuesday 2 April 2024, unless the oversize heavy vehicle or combination is provided an exemption.

In Queensland, the following oversize heavy vehicles and combinations are provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the following schedules of the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide :

  • Schedule 1 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV).
  • Schedule 2 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Combinations.
  • Schedule 3 provides exemptions for Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles.
  • Schedule 5 provides exemptions for Oversize conditionally registered vehicles.

Note: There are no exemptions under Schedule 4 for Class 3 oversize vehicles.

Before you commence your journey, you must check: 

  • the  Queensland Conditions of Operation Database ,
  • the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide , 
  • the participating road manager conditions in the operator's guides of the respective notices. 

Exemptions to the general Easter travel conditions in the Queensland Access Conditions Guide provide access for:

  • Any oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit may be driven during the Easter holiday period in the Cooper Basin where travel is directly involved with, or in support of, Liquefied Natural Gas or mining activities. A map of Cooper Basin is located in the Queensland Access Conditions Guide .
  • A Class 1 load carrying vehicle carrying agricultural equipment in association with cotton harvesting is permitted to travel during daylight hours as per Schedule 3 Table 21,
  • Any Class 1 oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit operating on a Port of Brisbane roads listed in Table 25.
  • A Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle complying with the conditions of operations between the Port of Brisbane or Mackay Ports and a Bond Store/Holding Yard Christmas and Easter holiday exemption under Schedule 3 Section 4.

Agricultural vehicles

In Queensland, a heavy agricultural vehicle and combination is provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide .

Before you commence your journey, you must check the following information contained within the guide:

  • Table 19 Holiday restrictions , found in the conditions tab under National daytime conditions and holiday restrictions
  • Queensland participating road manager network conditions under the Network and mapping tab.

South Australia

South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide (PDF, 408KB)

Travel is not be permitted during Easter for oversize loads that require a police escort.

No curfews in place for heavy vehicle activities over the Easter period.

The Department of State Growth’s Transport Safety Inspection Officers (TSIOs) will not be providing a service from 29 March to 3 April. This will mean that any activities that have a condition of an escort (under permit or notice), will not be able to comply with the conditions of access and will  not be able to operate over this period, unless it is in the event of an emergency.

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place. If you are operating under an access permit, please check for specific operating conditions that may apply.

Please note that as per the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) and the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) , an eligible vehicle must not travel on the Melba Highway or Warburton Highway on:

  • a weekend or public holiday; or
  • the day before the start of a holiday period; or
  • the last day of a holiday period.

Western Australia

Curfew restrictions for operators of Oversize Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) apply during the Easter period. Operators must refer to the permit operating conditions that are relevant to the particular vehicle that they wish to operate for full details on the curfews that apply to them.

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Police at a checkpoint on the Queensland-NSW border in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast on 23 July. Qld premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state government is considering declaring more NSW postcodes as coronavirus hotspots subject to border restrictions

Australia's Covid-19 border restrictions: where you can travel to and from

As Victoria and NSW battle second waves of coronavirus and the Qld government says it would consider another hard closure of its borders, each state and territory has imposed different restrictions on travel

  • Covid-19 restrictions across Australia ; Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions ; Victoria stage 3 rules
  • Australian stats interactive ; Vic cases map ; NSW cases map ; NSW hotspots list
  • Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email

After several months of lockdown, Australians everywhere are itching to travel. With international borders closed for the foreseeable future, domestic tourism is becoming an increasingly attractive option. But as Victoria and New South Wales try to contain a second wave of coronavirus cases, different Australian states and territories have imposed varying restrictions on travel.

Here’s what we know about where you can go and where you can’t based on where you’re coming from. And beware that those caught breaching border rules could face stiff fines in some states.

  • New South Wales

NSW imposed border restrictions with Victoria from 8 July, meaning only valid permit holders are allowed to enter NSW and once they do they must self-isolate for 14 days.

On 22 July, NSW tightened those border restrictions and entry is not permitted unless strict criteria is met. Permits issued under the previous restrictions are no longer valid and people wishing to enter must apply for a new permit on the Service NSW website.

NSW residents who travel to Victoria can return, but they must apply for a permit and isolate for 14 days when they arrive. More information about who is eligible for a permit can be found on the NSW government website .

As of Friday 7 August, people returning from Victoria will be required to go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.

Visitors entering NSW from states and territories aside from Victoria don’t need to quarantine.

Queensland closed its border to NSW residents from the greater Sydney region on 29 July and anyone attempting to enter the state from that area will be turned away at the border. Residents from other parts of NSW can travel to the state, however the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has indicated that she hasn’t ruled out declaring more areas in NSW hotspots.

Residents can travel to Tasmania if they haven’t been in a designated hotspot , but they will be required to undertake government-supervised quarantine.

Only those with exemptions can travel to Western Australia.

People travelling to South Australia will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Those travelling to the Northern Territory who have been in a declared hotspot will be required to undertake government-supervised quarantine at a cost of $2,500 per person. The entire greater Sydney region is now classified as a hotspot.

Police patrol the southern NSW border city of Albury as cars cross over from Victoria on 8 July.

No permit or approval is required to enter Victoria from another state, however some state premiers have recommended residents should not travel to Victoria, given the current outbreaks.

Victoria’s border with NSW has been closed since 8 July, with those wishing to enter NSW requiring a permit.

As of Friday 7 August, people travelling to NSW will be required to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days.

Victorians wishing to enter South Australia also require pre-approval .

Residents of Victoria are not allowed to travel to Queensland, Tasmania , WA, NT or the ACT without an exemption.

Any person who has been in a declared Covid-19 hotspot during the past 14 days, including Victoria, NSW and the ACT, cannot enter Queensland and will turned away at the border.

Exemptions exist for returning residents who will be subject to government-directed quarantine. Exemptions are available in some other limited circumstances which can be found here .

From 10 July, people travelling from WA, SA, Tasmania the ACT, and the NT and non-hotspot areas of NSW may enter Queensland if they complete a border declaration and undertake to present for a Covid-19 test if they develop symptoms.

From 8 August, people travelling from NSW and the ACT will be stopped and returned home. Exemptions will be “rare”, the Queensland government has said.

There are no restrictions on travel from Queensland to NSW, SA, the ACT or the NT, however the Queensland government is urging its residents not to travel to any known Covid-19 hotspots.

Travellers to Tasmania will be required to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in the state.

People from Queensland can’t travel to WA unless they have an exemption.

The Tasmanian border is currently closed to anyone travelling from Covid-19- affected areas , including Victoria, unless they are authorised travellers or returning residents. Unauthorised travellers from these regions will be turned around at the border at their own cost.

All travellers to Tasmania, including returning residents, must currently self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Non-Tasmanian residents must carry out their quarantine in government-provided accommodation.

From 7 August visitors from SA, the NT and WA may enter without going into quarantine, but they must apply first and declare that they have not been in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or the ACT in the preceding 14 days. Travellers from the “safety bubble” states will have to undergo a mandatory health check upon arrival, and anyone with coronavirus symptoms will have to take a mandatory test, and remain in hotel or home quarantine until the results are received. All travellers from the other states, including returning residents, must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Non-Tasmanian residents must carry out their quarantine in government-provided accommodation.

Under a new online travel registration system, G2G Pass, all travellers need a QR code to enter Tasmania. People previously granted “essential traveller” status need to reapply through the new system. More information about Tasmanian border rules is available on the Tasmanian government website .

There are no restrictions on travel from Tasmania to NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the NT and the ACT, however returning residents will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

People can’t travel from Tasmania to WA without an exemption.

Western Australia

No travellers are allowed to enter Western Australia unless they are granted an exemption upon application via G2G Pass .

On 20 July the WA government tightened the rules around exemptions for anyone who has travelled from or through NSW or Victoria, and exemptions granted prior to that date are no longer valid. The criteria for exemptions is outlined here.

Travel is permitted through most regional areas of Western Australia, except for remote Aboriginal communities .

Everyone entering WA is required to bring their own masks.

There are no restrictions on travel from WA to NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the NT and the ACT, but residents who wish to return must apply for an exemption to enter WA.

Those travelling to Tasmania are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in the state and apply for an exemption upon return. From 7 August residents travelling to Tasmania may enter the state without going into quarantine, but they must apply first and declare that they have not been in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or the ACT in the preceding 14 days. Travellers will have to undergo a mandatory health check upon arrival, and anyone with coronavirus symptoms will have to take a mandatory test, and remain in hotel or home quarantine until the results are received.

Residents returning from Victoria may be required to undertake 14 days government-supervised quarantine.

Residents returning from NSW must self-isolate for 14 days.

South Australia

The South Australian border is now closed to Victorian residents, unless they are deemed an “essential traveller”. Checkpoints are set up at all border crossings between South Australia and Victoria and travellers must enter the state via one of the roads listed here .

Essential travellers living in cross-border communities can still enter South Australia, however they cannot travel further than 50km over the border.

Travellers from ACT and NSW, other than essential travellers, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days after entering the state and submit for Covid-19 testing on the day of arrival and day 12 following arrival.

People from Queensland, WA, the NT and Tasmania can enter South Australia without having to quarantine for 14 days, but all travellers must be pre-approved via the cross-border travel registration. More information is available on the South Australian government website .

There are no restrictions on travel from SA to NSW, Victoria, Queensland, the NT and the ACT, but residents who wish to return must apply for pre-approval to enter SA.

Those travelling to Tasmania are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in the state and apply for pre-approval upon return. From 7 August residents travelling to Tasmania may enter the state without going into quarantine, but they must apply first and declare that they have not been in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or the ACT in the preceding 14 days. Travellers will have to undergo a mandatory health check upon arrival, and anyone with coronavirus symptoms will have to take a mandatory test, and remain in hotel or home quarantine until the results are received.

Those travelling to WA require an exemption to enter the state and must apply for pre-approval upon return.

Residents returning from some areas will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, which will be notified within 72 hours of the submission of a registration for pre-approval. SA residents will not be allowed to return to their state from Victoria unless they are essential travellers. As of 28 July, this restriction was hardened, removing the ability for a resident to return from Victoria and quarantine for 14 days.

Northern Territory

Anyone arriving in the Northern Territory must complete a border entry form . People who have travelled from or through a declared hotspot in the last 14 days must undertake 14 days’ mandatory supervised quarantine at a cost of $2,500 per person. That now includes Victoria, the entire Greater Sydney region and Port Stephens.

Exemptions granted before 17 July are invalid for people who have travelled through hotspots. Travellers can apply for an exemption in limited circumstances.

The NT government is urging people travelling from hotspots or residents planning travel to hotspots to cancel their plans.

The NT government points travellers to a Google map with current hotspots and a Q&A guide on its website .

There are no restrictions on travel from NT to NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA and the ACT, but residents who wish to return must complete a border entry form and will be required to undertake government-supervised quarantine at a cost of $2,500 per person if they have travelled through a hotspot.

Those travelling to Tasmania are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in the state. From 7 August residents travelling to Tasmania may enter the state without going into quarantine, but they must apply first and declare that they have not been in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland or the ACT in the preceding 14 days. Travellers will have to undergo a mandatory health check upon arrival, and anyone with coronavirus symptoms will have to take a mandatory test, and remain in hotel or home quarantine until the results are received.

Those travelling to WA require an exemption to enter the state.

People who are not ACT residents may not enter the ACT from Victoria, unless they hold an exemption. ACT residents are required to self-isolate for 14 days after leaving Victoria.

Currently public health orders require anyone who has been in affected locations in NSW, as identified by NSW Health , to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date they were there, even if they do not have any symptoms. More information can be found on the ACT government website .

There are no restrictions on travellers entering the ACT from other states and territories.

The ACT government is urging residents not to travel to locations with Covid-19 outbreaks, which includes all travel to Victoria and some locations in NSW .

There are no restrictions on travel from ACT to NSW, Victoria, SA and the NT, but residents returning from Victoria or Covid-19 hotspots in NSW must self-isolate for 14 days.

Queensland will stop residents from the ACT entering the state from Saturday 8 August.

Those travelling to Tasmania will be required to self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in the state.

Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is being regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will continue to be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.

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Big Rigs

Easter travel restrictions in place for Class 1 heavy vehicles

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Easter is fast approaching, and with the holiday period comes certain restrictions that limit travel  for Class 1 heavy vehicles (agricultural, oversize/overmass and special purpose vehicles).  

The NHVR has shared a roundup of restrictions in place over the long weekend, however they recommend operators also check their permits  for what restrictions are applicable and confirm with their relevant state and territory road transport authority .  

Take a look at the restrictions below.

New South Wales  

State-wide oversize travel curfews are imposed during public holiday periods across the state for Class 1 oversize heavy vehicles.  

Travel restrictions apply for oversize load carrying vehicles, such as low loaders transporting oversize equipment, during the Easter long weekend. These requirements are outlined in the  New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator’s Guide (PDF, 1.18MB)  and additional requirements for vehicles under an access permit in the additional access conditions for oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads.  

Transport for NSW has provided an overview of these holiday travel requirements on  NSW State-wide oversize holiday curfews .  

Details of the travel requirements for agricultural vehicles during the 2024 Easter holiday period are outlined in the  National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide .  

No travel is permitted on any State road from 8.30 am on the first day of the public holiday to 11:59 pm on the final day of the public holiday period for any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice travelling in Zone 1:  

  • wider than 2.5m and/or  
  • longer than 22m.  

Any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice is travelling in Zone 3 and Zone 5:    

  • wider than 3.2m and/or  
  • longer than 22m  

May only operate during a public holiday period if they are accompanied by (at a minimum) a pilot vehicle, unless travelling a distance of up to 500m between paddocks adjoining public roads.  

Please note the  New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator’s Guide  was recently updated so that a Class 1 heavy vehicle transporting agricultural cotton may operate on the following roads during daylight hours from sunrise Easter Saturday until sunset Easter Sunday.  

  • the Newell Highway from north of Coonabarabran to Goondiwindi   
  • the Kamilaroi Highway from Narrabri to Gunnedah   
  • the Gwydir Highway from the Newell Highway to Warialda  
  • the Bruxner Highway from Boggabilla to Yetman  
  • the Riverina Highway from Berrigan to Finley  
  • the Murray Valley Highway from Deniliquin to the Newell Highway near Finlay  
  • the Kidman Way from Hillston to the intersection of the Newell Highway near Jerilderie  
  • the Mid Western Highway from Goolgowi to West Wyalong.  

Queensland  

An oversize vehicle or combination must not be driven on any road in Queensland from 12.01am Thursday 28 March 2024 to 11.59pm Tuesday 2 April 2024, unless the oversize heavy vehicle or combination is provided an exemption.  

Exemptions 

In Queensland, the following oversize heavy vehicles and combinations are provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the following schedules of the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide :  

  • Schedule 1 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV).  
  • Schedule 2 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Combinations.  
  • Schedule 3 provides exemptions for Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles.  
  • Schedule 5 provides exemptions for Oversize conditionally registered vehicles.  

Note: There are no exemptions under Schedule 4 for Class 3 oversize vehicles.  

Before you commence your journey, you must check:   

  • the  Queensland Conditions of Operation Database ,  
  • the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide ,   
  • the participating road manager conditions in the operator’s guides of the respective notices.   

Exemptions to the general Easter travel conditions in the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide  provide access for:  

  • Any oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit may be driven during the Easter holiday period in the Cooper Basin where travel is directly involved with, or in support of, Liquefied Natural Gas or mining activities. A map of Cooper Basin is located in the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide .  
  • A Class 1 load carrying vehicle carrying agricultural equipment in association with cotton harvesting is permitted to travel during daylight hours as per Schedule 3 Table 21,  
  • Any Class 1 oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit operating on a Port of Brisbane roads listed in Table 25.  
  • A Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle complying with the conditions of operations between the Port of Brisbane or Mackay Ports and a Bond Store/Holding Yard Christmas and Easter holiday exemption under Schedule 3 Section 4.  

Agricultural vehicles 

In Queensland, a heavy agricultural vehicle and combination is provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the  National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide .  

Before you start your journey, you must check the following information contained within the guide:  

  • Table 19 Holiday restrictions, found in the  conditions  tab under  National daytime conditions and holiday restrictions
  • Queensland participating road manager network conditions under the  Network and mapping tab.

Western Australia

Curfew restrictions for operators of Oversize Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) apply during the Easter period. Operators must refer to the permit operating conditions that are relevant to the particular vehicle that they wish to operate for full details on the curfews that apply to them.  

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place. If you are operating under an access permit, check for specific operating conditions that may apply.  

Note that as per the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1)  and the  Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) , an eligible vehicle must not travel on the Melba Highway or Warburton Highway on:  

  • a weekend or public holiday; or  
  • the day before the start of a holiday period; or  
  • the last day of a holiday period.  

No curfews in place for heavy vehicle activities over the Easter period.  

The Department of State Growth’s Transport Safety Inspection Officers (TSIOs) will not be providing a service from 29 March to 3 April. This means that any activities that have a condition of an escort (under permit or notice), will not be able to comply with the conditions of access and will not be able to operate over this period, unless it is in the event of an emergency.  

South Australia  

South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide (PDF, 408KB)  

Travel is not be permitted during Easter for oversize loads that require a police escort.  

Northern Territory  

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.  

Australian Capital Territory  

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How tourist operators in Far North Queensland are fighting for survival after series of disasters

For three months, Julian and Jackie Pagani have been burning hundreds of litres of fuel a day to power a campsite no-one can visit.

Usually their camping ground at Cape Tribulation, nestled between World Heritage-listed rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, swells with visitors this time of year.

But since Cyclone Jasper and a subsequent flooding event wreaked havoc on Far North Queensland last December, no-one has been able to get into the remote coastal village.

A major landslide with dirt, trees and rocks covers the road

There's only one road into Cape Tribulation, and it's impassable.

"We haven't had any tourist trade since the cyclone so we are three months in with no income, no trade," Ms Pagani said.

"We don't know where to go from here, we don't know when we can reopen the doors, we don't know what to tell our staff, we don't know what to tell the bank."

Cape Tribulation has no mains power so for the Paganis, powering the campground is an expense that doesn't stop — even if the tourists do.

"[The diesel generator is] burning hundreds of litres of fuel a day because we have to keep everything on, including our sewage treatment plant," Mr Pagani said.

"After three months, it's a lot of money without an income."

Cape Tribulation camping ground sign at entrance.

Other tourism operators in the close-knit rainforest community are also doing it tough. The hotel rooms are vacant and cafes are empty, leaving businesses in the region teetering on the edge of financial ruin.

Ms Pagani puts it plainly: "Without tourists, we don't have Cape Tribulation."

"It won't exist if we don't open to tourists, there's no other way to make an income here, all other residents work in tourism."

A 'horrific start' to the tourism year

It's been three months since Cyclone Jasper and a subsequent flooding event wreaked havoc on Far North Queensland — the jewel in Australia's tourism crown.

About $280 million has been lost in cancelled bookings across the region between December and January and hotel occupancy rates remain as low as 30 per cent in some areas.

"We've had an horrific start to the year," Queensland's Tourism Minister Michael Healy conceded.

Aerial view of Cape Tribulation camping ground.

About 400,000 tourists normally visit the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, located about a three-hour drive north of Cairns, each year.

The region recorded almost 3 metres of rain after Jasper crossed the coast near Cape Tribulation and the deluge caused a 56-metre landslide that effectively severed the rainforest village from the rest of the state.

Locals band together

Despite the devastation, Ms Pagani said local businesses had joined forces to help her pull off the couple's wedding on New Year's Eve at their isolated campground – the only business the town has seen in three months

About 170 family and friends were ferried in on a commercial reef tourism boat, cutlery and dinnerware was borrowed from nearby resorts, and food and drinks purchased from local businesses.

Jackie and Julian Pagani are married on the beach

"We had planned our wedding a long time ago and we weren't going to let the cyclone stop us," Ms Pagani said.

Lawrence Mason, who runs a café and shop at Cape Tribulation, supplied alcohol, soft drinks and water for the wedding.

"We've been closed for more than 90 days so it was wonderful to see locals supporting other locals at such a difficult time," he said.

Empty rooms and water woes

Even parts of Far North Queensland that are accessible to visitors are still feeling the pain months after the cyclone.

Bryce and Lee Tozer, who manage the Cayman Villas resort in Port Douglas — a destination favoured by US presidents and singers Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran — said their occupancy rates were "significantly down" this Easter.

"I've spoken to many people around town and we all have similar stories, the phones aren't running hot, " Mr Bryce said.

"We need to get the message out, especially to people in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that we are here and open, the reef is here, all the resorts are open for business, all sitting here and waiting for you to come."

Lee and Bryce Tozer stand next to their hotel entrance.

Mr Tozer said publicity surrounding the town's water woes — Port Douglas is on level-four water restrictions as a result of flooding damage to treatment plants — had also impacted visitor numbers.

There have been several instances where the town has been left without water at short notice, forcing some tourists to bucket pool water to flush their toilets.

Local mayor Michael Kerr said council was working through the water issues and restoring road access to Cape Tribulation with the help of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

A concrete slipway on a water channel.

"It's important to remember we are still open for business. The bars, cafes, restaurants, the reef tours, they are all open and if you love the tropics, please come and see us," Mr Kerr said.

He said the council hoped to open the road into Cape Tribulation by Easter, but it would be weather-dependent.

Millions poured into lure visitors back

Both the Queensland and federal governments have poured millions of dollars into advertising campaigns, discounted flights and holiday vouchers in a bid to entice visitors back to Far North Queensland.

A tourist boat in the Great Barrier Reef

In Cairns and Port Douglas, occupancy rates this Easter period have been about half of what they were last year, Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) figures show.

Mr Healy said in addition to the cyclone, flooding and road closures, there were other factors that had also contributed to the region's poor tourist numbers.

"Fundamentally, this comes down to access, and if we're looking at aviation into the region, and the prices are high, that is a big deterrent," he said.

"Eighty-seven per cent of our tourists get off at the [Cairns] airport so pricing, especially around that holiday period, is very important."

However, a sprinkling of international tourists have found their way to the region despite the hurdles.

Tourist Paul Oakley sits on a bench near the beach.

English visitor Paul Oakley said he and his wife were aware of the natural disasters but chose to forge ahead with their journey and hadn't been disappointed.

"If you're helping out the tourism here, it's a really good thing and we are pleased that we did come," Mr Oakley said.

"We had expectations about what Australia would be like and it has more than exceeded those. Queensland in particular is beautiful. We have had trips to the Great Barrier Reef and it has just been wonderful."

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  25. How tourist operators in Far North Queensland are fighting for survival

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