Queensland will reopen its border with New South Wales on December 1.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the criteria to reopen the state's borders has been 28 days of no new coronavirus diagnoses which could not be traced to another known case.
"We know how tough this has been on families, this is a great day, it is exciting news, and it has met the requirements that Dr Young (Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young) has set," Ms Palaszczuk said this morning.
LIVE UPDATES: Victoria records no new coronavirus cases
"In further good news, tomorrow is the day Victoria will meet that threshold so I will update everybody again tomorrow morning."
Ms Palaszczuk said she has been in touch with both the NSW and Victoria premiers to inform them of her decision, and it is likely the border will also be open to Victorians on December 1.
"I have advised the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that if they reach that 28 days tomorrow then they too will be open on the first of December," Ms Palaszczuk said.
https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1331025291544727553Despite the announcement, Dr Young warned that another outbreak could happen again and urged Queenslanders with any symptoms to get a test.
"Any cough, cold, sniffle, sore throat, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, any symptom - we don't know what might have been the cause but please just come forward and get tested," she said.
"It is wonderful to still see the large numbers of Queenslanders coming forward."
It is good news for many families and friends who have been separated by the hard border for months on end and they may now be able to spend Christmas together.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the announcement is a "great day for Australia".
https://twitter.com/StevenJMiles/status/1331018846703009798?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwMs Palaszczuk said the announcement would also be welcomed by airlines and the tourism industry.
"We are in contact with the airlines, we know how important it is that the airlines are able to plan," she said.
"People are able to plan for their holidays as well and Queensland is good to go."
Dr Young said Queensland health authorities would wait and see how the outbreak in South Australia goes before reopening the border to them.
"It's been really good so far," she said.
"They've had only small numbers, up to 27 yesterday, we just have to see what happens in that first incubation period."
The border to South Australia was closed last week by Ms Palaszczuk after it was declared a hotspot.
from 9News https://ift.tt/3pUD5Y7
via IFTTT
0 Comments