NSW still on Queensland’s ‘border clock’ after recording new local COVID-19 cases
New South Wales could miss its 1 November deadline for reopening with Queensland, after the eastern state recorded new locally acquired COVID-19 cases.
A major condition for Queensland to open to NSW visitors and returned travellers was that the state record no unlinked community transmission of the coronavirus for 28 consecutive days.
But the eastern state yesterday revealed that among the 12 new cases of COVID-19 recorded overnight, eight were locally acquired with the source of three then mystery cases in Sydney under investigation.
The state recorded five new cases of community transmission today, all linked back to known clusters, as well.
If NSW Health officials had been unable to find the source of yesterday’s cases, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, may have considered resetting the 28-day clock for the reopening of their border.
However, contact tracers in NSW believe they have now linked all eight cases from yesterday back to a known cluster in Liverpool.
Under guidelines that Queensland authorities said were nationally agreed to, NSW Health officials had 48 hours to link the three cases to a known cluster for the clock to keep ticking, the Australian Associated Press reported.
But Premier Gladys Berejiklian claims she had never heard of this criterion.
“I still don’t know where the Queensland government got that 48-hour deadline from. It was completely new to me,” she told the press, today.
However, Dr Young said today she had “discussed this with the Chief Health Officer in NSW” – Dr Kerry Chant – on Thursday, as reported by 9News.
“A decision was made nationally that the 48 hours would start from when the case interview has occurred,” she said.
“And that makes sense, because that is when you have got the information from the patient about where they had been and where they might have contracted it.”
Dr Young added that health authorities would “wait a bit longer” before deciding on whether to push back the planned border reopening with NSW.
She told the press that good progress had been made in NSW and praised their contact tracing of new COVID-19 cases.
“They have found links for seven of the eight cases that they notified yesterday,” Dr Young said.
“NSW has extremely good contact tracing capability and they’re using that at the moment.
“We just need to wait a bit longer before we decide whether or not there has been any need to change that planned opening to NSW that at this point in time is planned for the 1st of November.
“We use that 28 days of no un-linked community cases to assist us in determining whether it is safe at that point in time at the end of the month to open to another state.”
Berejiklian told the press yesterday that the current situation demonstrated that Queensland’s 28-day rule was unrealistic.
“Until the end of the pandemic, it’s highly unlikely that NSW will ever get to 28 days of no community transmission because that is not how a pandemic works,” she said, via ABC News.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he was fed up with the conditions, directing criticism at Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and not his Queensland counterpart.
“I’m over it … I’ve got to say I think Premier Palaszczuk is being political – she is being cruel,” Minister Hazard said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the press on Thursday that she remained on “high alert” over the cases and was “not ruling out anything” when asked about the tentative plan to reopen the border on 1 November.
She has extended the deadline for NSW to trace cases by another day.
“There’s another 24 hours for them to look at where those cases came from,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“[I’m] looking forward to what the Premier of NSW has got to say. We hope NSW gets on top of those cases very quickly.”
Despite the critique from NSW’s in-power LNP, Queensland’s potential decision to keep its border closed has the backing of the state’s LNP – specifically, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, according to InQueensland.
Despite previously questioning whether the border policy was political and not evidence-based, Frecklington yesterday backed Queensland continuing to rely on health advice.
The Opposition Leader was briefed by Dr Young yesterday morning after Frecklington complained of the premier not facilitating such a meeting.
The LNP leader called on NSW to trace the latest cases as soon as possible, in a sign her border rhetoric may have shifted, InQueensland reported.
“We would like to see, and like to make sure, that our borders don’t have to be shut for a day longer than they have to,” Frecklington said.
Featured image source: iStock/ai_yoshi
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Annastacia Palaszczuk Border restrictions Gladys Berejiklian nsw queenslandLatest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!