Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Delays as Qld border opens to regional NSW
Queensland police say there have been delays of almost an hour at the southern border after COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed for regional NSW.
November 3, 2020
Travellers have had waits of almost an hour at Queensland’s southern border after COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed for regional NSW.
The influx of people waiting to cross into the Sunshine State started well before the new border rules came into effect at 1am AEST on Tuesday.
Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler says some crossing points continue to have queues up to a kilometre long.
“But all in all we’re pretty pleased with the way the traffic is flowing,” he told reporters.
“The true test now will be over the coming days and weeks when we do expect to see more people wanting to travel into Queensland.
“We’re looking at over three million people from NSW who will be eligible to come in.”
Chief Superintendent Wheeler said most people had listened to advice and had displayed their border declaration passes.
Police stopped 90,000 vehicles and refused entry to 6500 people since the border closed to NSW for the second time on August 8.
Queensland recorded three new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
The men acquired their infections overseas and were diagnosed while in hotel quarantine.
Two of the men are aged in their 40s and the other man is in his 20s.
Six cases remain active.