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.”
Click here for more information and to fill out a travel declaration.
What You Need to Know
*current as at 4:30pm June 18
All travellers from a state or territory with a declared COVID-19 hotspot (currently Victoria and from 1am Saturday, June 19 also New South Wales) are required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass prior to entry.
From 1am Saturday, June 19, anyone travelling to Queensland from a state or territory without a COVID-19 hotspot within Australia or from New Zealand will be required to complete the new Queensland Travel Declaration.
Travellers required to complete a Queensland Travel Declaration must do so within the 72-hour period before entering Queensland. The pass is then valid for 14 days.
An exception is provided for Queensland residents or New South Wales border zone residents (see map) who have only been in the New South Wales border zone or Queensland in the previous 14 days and are entering Queensland by road – these people are neither required to complete a Queensland Travel Declaration nor a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.
The new travel requirement has been introduced to ensure Queensland Health can access information to undertake contact tracing in a timely manner.
Police continue to conduct random intercepts of vehicles entering Queensland through our road network and have a high-visibility policing present at Queensland airports, ensuring travellers are complying with the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
Police may ask travellers to produce a copy of their travel declaration pass.
Police continue to educate and show compassion when engaging with members of the public as we all work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Anyone who blatantly fails to provide a Queensland Travel Declaration could receive a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) of $1,334.
Anyone travelling into Queensland after 1am Saturday, June 19 from a state or territory without a COVID-19 hotspot can apply for a Queensland Travel Declaration here.
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