Coronavirus Australia: Families separated by closed NSW-Queensland border celebrate Father’s Day

Families separated on either side of the NSW-Queensland border – with NO Covid on either side – celebrate Father’s Day by hugging each other and exchanging gifts over the barrier

  • Families gathered at border barricades on Father’s Day to meet with loves ones
  • There were many tearful reunions at the Queensland-NSW border on Sunday
  • Families separated by border closures hugged and kissed over barricades
  • Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described emotional scenes as heartbreaking

Dozens of families separated by Covid-19 border closures have finally seen their loved ones for the first time in weeks, sparking emotional scenes.

Families gathered at various barricades along the Queensland-NSW border for tearful reunions on a Father’s Day like no other on Sunday. 

Loved ones hugged each other and chatted over the barricades on both side of the border at Tweed Heads and Coolangatta.

A heavy police presence watched on and handed out hundreds of masks while ensuring everyone was social distancing.

There were heartbreaking Father’s Day reunions at the NSW-Queensland border on Sunday

Grandparents spent precious time with their young grandchildren as families exchanged Father’s Day gifts such as fishing rods and cases of beer.

One man hadn’t seen his baby daughter since relocating south of the border for work three weeks ago. 

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the scenes at border barricades as ‘heartbreaking’.

But she refused to budge on the border closure, days after she allowed NRL players’ families and officials to arrive from Covid-hit Sydney. 

Queensland closed its border to NSW on July 23 as Sydney’s Covid outbreak hit, and today added 1,485 new cases.

‘I’m trying so hard. We have been really reaching out to the NSW government to be able to have that border bubble, to be able to move that checkpoint,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

Loved ones separated by border closures exchanged Father's Day gifts at the barricades

Loved ones separated by border closures exchanged Father’s Day gifts at the barricades

Grandparents spent precious time with grandchildren they hadn't seen in weeks

Grandparents spent precious time with grandchildren they hadn’t seen in weeks

Queensland Police described Sunday’s border operation as a success and acknowledged it was difficult day for many families.

‘Father’s Day is a emotional time and obviously we do use that compliance approach as a last resort,’ acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman told reporters.

‘For us, it was about getting the public health messaging across and it worked with individuals and family groups. But we fully understand it’s quite difficult under the circumstances.’

‘I think everyone wants to have hope. Everyone wants to be able to catch up with friends and family for Christmas,’ she said.

‘I think this is the dream of all Australians, of all Australian families but the way to do that is to get vaccinated.

‘That’s the key. The key is vaccination.’

Footage of dozens of reunited families at the border sparked a divided reaction online (pictured an aerial shots of families gathering at the barricades on Father's Day)

Footage of dozens of reunited families at the border sparked a divided reaction online (pictured an aerial shots of families gathering at the barricades on Father’s Day)

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