As Lismore local government area (LGA) comes out of lockdown residents will also be permitted extra reasons to cross the border into Queensland from 1am 23 September.
‘The reasons for crossing the border are still limited and even if you are able to cross the border for an essential purpose you should reconsider your need to do so,’ said a spokesperson from Queensland Health.
If you are in a non-restricted LGA in the New South Wales border zone you can cross between NSW and Queensland for the below essential purposes:
- to get food or other essential goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales or Queensland; or
- to get medical care or supplies or other health care services, including a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination which cannot reasonably be obtained within New South Wales or Queensland; or
- to comply with an order to attend or to give effect to a court or tribunal in person in the border zone; or
- to donate blood or blood products at a scheduled appointment at a blood collection centre in Queensland or New South Wales; or
- to perform work or volunteering that cannot be done from home; or
- attend school, childcare, university or any other educational institution or to transport you children to or from these facilities; or
- provide assistance, care or support to a vulnerable person or family member or visit a terminally ill relative; or
- fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting, child contact or contact between siblings; or
- in an emergency situation; or
- for safety reasons (to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm, including domestic violence); or
- as directed by an emergency officer; or
You must follow face mask requirements while you’re in Queensland.
If you are permitted to cross the border for work or volunteering, you will need to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
‘The border pass system is being updated and people will receive a text message when they can reapply for a pass. In the meantime, please bring proof of residency in those LGAs to the border,’ said the spokesperson.
You cannot cross the border:
- if you have been in a restricted NSW border zone LGA (or any other COVID-19 hotspot) in the last 14 days
- to attend a wedding or funeral
- to exercise
- for recreational purposes, including:
- meeting friends or family for a meal out
- holidays
- spectating at professional sporting events
- attending cinemas, theme parks or other tourist experiences.
NSW border zone residents must not undertake any of these activities while in Queensland even if you have entered for an essential purpose.
If you go outside of the restricted LGA in the New South Wales border zone (or any other COVID-19 hotspot), you will not be able to re-enter Queensland via road and will have to quarantine for 14 days in government arranged accommodation at your own expense when you come home by air.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
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