States and territories tighten travel restrictions in response to Brisbane’s COVID-19 outbreak

Coronavirus pandemic reported on the map of Queensland. Spread of COVID-19 represented with red circles on a black background, like a radar screen. Conceptual image: coronavirus detected, quarantined area, spread of the disease, coronavirus outbreak on the territory, virus alert, danger zone, confined space, closing of borders, area under control, stop coronavirus, defeat the virus. Vector Illustration (EPS10, well layered and grouped). Easy to edit, manipulate, resize or colorize.
By Christian Fleetwood


As Greater Brisbane officially enters a snap three-day lockdown, states and territories are taking no chances with news of more COVID-19 cases.

Residents in the Brisbane City, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands and Moreton Bay council areas are now only able to leave home for essential reasons, during a lockdown ahead of the Easter long weekend.

It comes as eight new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were identified by Queensland Health, with two confirmed clusters now in the state, both of which are the UK strain of the coronavirus.

States and territories have taken no chances off the back of the news, with Western Australia introducing a hard border with Queensland.

Travel from Queensland into WA will no longer be permitted, unless you are an exempt traveller.

The situation is similar in Tasmania, where the state has banned has anyone who has spent time in Greater Brisbane in the past 14 days from entering Tasmania unless exempted as an essential traveller.

South Australia is also not permitting arrivals from Greater Brisbane. Entry is still permitted for returning residents, people relocating to South Australia, and people fleeing domestic violence.

However, on arrival to the state, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days, get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible and get tested on day five and day 13 of quarantine, and to wear a face mask (covering mouth and nose) at any time they come into contact with the public during the quarantine period.

Victoria has updated its restrictions after upgrading Greater Brisbane (including the City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay Region, Redlands City) from an ‘orange zone’ to a ‘red zone’ under Victoria’s travel permit system. Victorian residents in a red zone can apply for a ‘red zone’ permit to return home.

From the day they enter Victoria, they will be required to return straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days. They will also have to get a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arriving, and again on day 13 of self-quarantine.

The Northern Territory has ordered travellers from Greater Brisbane into mandatory quarantine after declaring the region a hotspot, with the ACT also requiring travellers from the region to quarantine.

NSW residents have been told to avoid travel to Queensland if possible. No new local coronavirus cases were reported in NSW on Tuesday, after two positive cases travelled from Queensland to Byron Bay over the weekend.

Featured image source: iStock/bgblue

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