“Due to the current community transmission levels, the border with Victoria will remain closed and will be strengthened,” she said.
“Anyone who has travelled from Victoria, including Queenslanders, will be prevented from entering or will have to quarantine at a hotel at their own expense for two weeks.”
All other states and territories, with the exception of Victoria, will be allowed to enter Queensland from July 10 with a border declaration.
The fine for lying or providing false information is a hefty $4000.
Tougher measures against anyone who has travelled to Victoria will come into effect this Friday.
“We just can’t risk removing border restrictions for people coming from areas of Victoria right now,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We believe we have the balance right. We will do everything to preserve Queensland’s good record at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our state.”
Which restrictions have been eased?
The Premier also announced stage three of Queenlsland’s easing of restrictions will come into effect from Friday. That does not include interstate travel, which will commence on July 10 for all states except Victoria.
What this means is up to 100 people can attend weddings.
There will be contact community sports and the two-metre square rule for businesses will come into effect.
“Casinos will be able to be open and concert venues and theatres will be open 50 per cent or one person per one-square metre rule will apply,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Churches, and I know this is important, and places of worship, family households will be able to sit together as well. That’s all due to the tremendous work of Queenslanders.”
We are expecting further details on what else is allowed shortly.
Special rules in place for small businesses
Meanwhile, Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has provided a bit more clarity on the “per-metre-square” rules.
The four-square metre rule still applies in restaurants and large venues but for small businesses the state government says the two-square metre rule will come into effect.
There is still cap of 50 people but Dr Young said the decision was made taking into account how small some places are and their ability to contact trace.
This will likely affect your Sunday and weekend brunches and smaller restaurants – not your large-scale pubs at this stage.
Queensland extends support to Victoria
Deputy Premier Steven Miles compared Queensland’s record of new cases to the recent outbreak in Victoria.
Since stage two of easing restrictions commenced on June 1, just nine new cases have been recorded in Queensland, he said.
That’s in “stark contrast” to the surge of cases in Victoria – many of which have been locally acquired.
“They’ve more than six times the number of cases where the source of the infection could not be identified than we have had,” Mr Miles said.
The state government is sending a strong message to Victoria, but has also extended a hand of support.
“We have called today for expressions of interest for 40 nurses who we will deploy to Victoria to assist them,” Mr Miles said.
“We want to be able to use our resource in Victoria to assist them there.
“Our message to Victorians is please do not come here. Until these outbreaks are under control.”
Palaszczuk ‘won’t be silenced’ by Federal Government
Ms Palaszczuk has also taken aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s stance on the border restrictions.
Asked by a reporter what she’d say to Mr Morrison, who has encouraged a full opening of the borders, Ms Palaszczuk said she is “sick” of Queensland being “singled out”.
“I think a national leader should have been able to bring all of the states and territories together,” she said.
“Frankly, I’m a bit sick that Queensland has been singled out as opposed to South Australia, and Tasmania, just to name a few.
“And perhaps if Victoria had been almost self-quarantined or quarantined, then the Prime Minister could have set a date for all of the other states and territories once Victoria has under control.
“At the moment, what we have is a bit of a confrontation where fights are being picked at different states and, frankly, I don’t think it’s good enough. I’ve been silent for a long time and I will not be silenced.”
All Australians urged to stay away from Victoria
Australians who have family in Victoria or who were considering a trip during the school holidays have also been told in no uncertain terms not to go.
“Please do not go to Victoria. Stay in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said. She also directed the message to people in New South Wales.
“Our concern is people from New South Wales going into Victoria and then choosing to come to Queensland,” she said.
Source: 9News
