Queensland has today declared the greater Sydney area a COVID-19 hotspot, following increasing cases across the NSW capital.
Today, 34 (31 new plus three previously declared) local government areas have been declared hotspots by the Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, meaning as of 1am Saturday August 1, people who have been there within the last 14 days will be turned away at our border unless they are residents.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said community transmission had increased.
"We have seen more cases of community transmission spreading across a wider area of Sydney," The Premier said.
"This includes into areas frequented by tourists, travellers and large numbers of Sydney locals.
"Throughout this pandemic we have acted quickly to put the health of Queenslanders first.
"And that's what we're doing here."
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said that since the weekend, cases of community transmission had arisen in Potts Point, the local government area that included Kings Cross.
"While overall case numbers in NSW have remained reasonably stable - between 10 to 20 a day – there are more cases, across more areas with an unknown source of infection.
"As of Friday, if you come from Sydney or anywhere in Victoria, you will be turned away at the border or be required to quarantine if you're a Queensland resident."
Dr Young recommended any Queenslanders currently in these hotspots to make their way home before 1am Saturday.
"If you are in Sydney please take this opportunity to come home to the safety of Queensland," Dr Young said.
"If an area where you are staying or visiting is suddenly declared a hotspot while you are there, once you return to Queensland, you will have to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel at your own expense," she said.
The only exception to this is people who are needed in Queensland for essential purposes and Queensland residents – these people can enter the state but will be required to quarantine in government provided accommodation at their expense.
"Our job is to protect Queenslanders and, given the situation in Sydney and in Victoria, we need to implement tough measures."
The fees for two weeks of accommodation, meals and room cleaning are: $2,800 for one adult; $3,710 for two adults in the same room; and $4,620 for two adults and two children in the same room.
