Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has released Queensland’s COVID Vaccination Plan to unite families, protect Queenslanders and chart a course through the next stages of the pandemic.
Key features include greater freedoms for those who are fully vaccinated including being able to cross the border from interstate hotspots in time for Christmas.
This will be achieved in cautious and measured stages once 70 and 80 per cent of eligible Queenslanders are double-dosed.
The Premier said how quickly these milestones are achieved depends on how quickly Queenslanders come forward to be vaccinated.
“It’s simple,” the Premier said.
“The more of us who are vaccinated, the sooner we are safely reunited with friends and family interstate and overseas.”
As has been the case during the pandemic the steps are measured and cautious.
Key milestones are:
* At 70 per cent of Queensland’s eligible population fully vaccinated (expected on November 19)
Anyone who has been in a declared domestic 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 and undertake home quarantine for 14 days.
Direct international arrivals into Queensland will have to complete 14 days quarantine in a Government-nominated facility as will arrivals who enter via another state or territory.
* At 80% of Queensland’s eligible population fully vaccinated (expected December 17)
Travellers from an interstate hotspot can arrive by road or air and they must be fully vaccinated, they must have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours and no quarantine will be required.
Direct international arrivals can undertake 14 days (subject to review by AHPPC) home quarantine and subject to conditions set by Queensland Health provided they are fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours.
Those who don’t meet these criteria will need to enter within Queensland’s international arrivals cap and quarantine in a Government-nominated facility, just like now.
It is important for businesses to know, that at 80 per cent vaccination coverage, there will not be government financial assistance available in the event of increased restrictions or lockdowns.
* At 90 per cent of Queenslanders fully vaccinated
No entry restrictions or quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from interstate or overseas. Unvaccinated travellers will need to apply for a border pass, or enter within the international arrivals cap, and undertake up to 14 days (subject to review by AHPPC) quarantine.
As of Monday, October 18:
* 72.26 per cent of Queenslanders have had one dose
* 56.58 per cent are fully vaccinated
* People who are fully vaccinated are 86 per cent less likely to catch COVID and pass it on.
* If you are fully vaccinated your chance of dying from COVID-19 falls by 90 per cent.
Please contact or walk into your local pharmacy or GP and ask about getting vaccinated.