Annastacia Palaszczuk announces she will open up the state before Christmas revealing the deadline for when Covid can come in as she warns ‘this is your last chance’ to get jabbed

  •  Queensland will reopen within a month to visitors from interstate hotspots

By Michael Pickering For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:50 BST, 18 October 2021 | Updated: 04:00 BST, 18 October 2021


Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said fully vaccinated visitors from interstate hot spots would be welcomed back within a month and that quarantine would not be required for visitors by Christmas.   

‘The faster we are vaccinated, the faster these deadlines will be achieved,’ she said. 

‘It means that some of these dates may come forward if we get the vaccination rates up.’

The premier said 70 percent of the eligible Queensland population was expected to be jabbed by November 19, with the 80 per cent target expected to be reached by December 17.  

‘If you come from a declared domestic hot spot, like NSW or Victoria, in the previous 14 days you can travel to Queensland, provided you are fully vaccinated and arrived by air and have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours and will have to undertake home quarantine for 14 days,’ she said in reference to the 70 per cent target date.

‘That’s good news for families to be reunited for Christmas. 

‘Of course, that 17 December may come sooner if we reach the threshold sooner so it’s up to Queenslanders.’

WHAT HAPPENS ON QUEENSLAND’S THRESHOLD DATES? 

On estimated date of November 19, when 70 per cent full vaccination mark is reached: Anyone who has been in a declared hotspot in the previous 14 days can travel into Queensland provided they are fully vaccinated, arrive by air, have a negative Covid test in the previous 72 hours.

Travellers must undertake home quarantine for 14 days.

On estimated date of December 17, when 80 per cent full vaccination mark is reached: Travellers from an interstate hotspot can arrive by road or air.

They must be fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid test result.  Quarantine will no longer be required.

 

 The state had been under pressure to announce a road map to reopen as vaccination rates increase and NSW and Victoria begin to emerge from lockdown.

Queensland recorded no new community-acquired cases for a 13th consecutive day on Monday.

Chief Health officer Dr Jeannette Young had signalled a change of tone yesterday when she said that Queenslanders ‘need to regain our full lives again’. 

‘We have done so well … but it’s time for us to normalise this,’ Dr Young said.

Ms Palaszczuk announced 72.26 percent of Queenslanders had now received a first dose of vaccine, with 56.58 per cent fully vaccinated. 

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