Frontline officers are maintaining a strong presence at Queensland borders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, with more than 100,000 vehicles intercepted in the first four weeks.
Officers deployed to far reaching corners of the Queensland divide are remaining positive, professional and good humoured despite often being confronted with treacherous conditions.
Police from Mount Isa have shared stomach-churning vision of plagues of gidgee bugs (otherwise known as "stink bugs") crawling over trailers and crunching under police cars.
To stay warm at night during patrols, officers from Camooweal started a fire pit and were joined by their Northern Territory counterparts along with Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force personnel, forming close bonds beyond the border.
Officers from the Gold Coast Rapid Action Patrol enjoyed a laugh at one innovative motorcyclist who took a more streamlined approach to crossing over from New South Wales by copying his border pass onto his t-shirt.
The early stages of the restrictions proved more difficult for some to come to terms with - in particular, a 31-year-old Palm Beach man stopped at Tugun on April 8 with 93 kilos of cannabis located inside his Ford Ranger as well as $4,300 in cash.
The last time restrictions were introduced between the Queensland – New South Wales border was in 1919 when a barbed-wire fence was built at Coolangatta to prevent the spread of Spanish Flu.
State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski has acknowledged the efforts of all personnel for their commitment and diligence while securing the state's borders.
"The reason why Queensland is achieving promising outcomes is because of what measures we have put in place, not in spite of them," Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"I am continually impressed by the standard set by our frontline officers and partner agencies during this pandemic and encourage everyone to keep supporting each other during and beyond these uncertain times," he said.
"We would also like to commend motorists for their continued patience and cooperation when crossing the border, without their understanding our jobs would be much more difficult."
