According to NSW Health if you live in one of the Northern NSW border communities and need to go to Queensland and then come back into NSW you are required to go into 14 days isolation. For many who work across the border, are collecting people from the airport or attending a medical appointment it is causing significant confusion and stress.
Both local Labor MP Justine Elliot and Liberal Tweed Shire Councillor James Owen are calling on the NSW and QLD State Governments to work together to simplify the system for the Northern NSW border community, in light of the latest COVID-19 border restriction announcements.
‘This bungled bureaucratic nightmare has caused mass confusion amongst North Coast residents. Locals are outraged that the NSW Government has brought in these confusing measures that makes their lives even harder,’ said Mrs Elliott in a press release.
‘Currently, the NSW entry Border Pass requires that a new form be completed every 24 hours while a Queensland entry Border Pass is required only every 14 days.
‘The NSW Government has also mandated that if you get a NSW entry border pass you must follow the stay-at-home orders in NSW for 14 days since you left Queensland. This 14 day resets EVERY TIME you return to NSW.’
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The border pass arrangements came into force from 12.01am on Wednesday 30 June for anyone who has been in the Northern Territory, Queensland, or Western Australia.
‘How anyone is expected to keep up with all this is beyond me – it is so confusing,’ said Mr Owen.
‘I note that those in the NSW/VIC border region are exempt from completing a declaration if they reside in the NSW/VIC border region and only travel within that region. I am calling on the NSW Government to implement a similar exemption for the NSW/QLD border region.
‘Living in a border community has never been harder or more confusing. We need clear, concise and consistent information that is easy to understand.’
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