Borders remain open to locals, but delays expected

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Goondiwindi Regional Council is encouraging residents to prepare for the closure of the Queensland border from midnight tonight.

It is understood that the Queensland Police Service (QPS) are developing an online system for permit applications - but this system will not be ready for tonight.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region Graeme Scheu has encouraged those who need to cross the region’s Queensland border to have identification and any supporting documentation ready to present at the checkpoint. He has also warned to prepare for delays.

“We understand that the police are looking to develop permits for border crossings, but that system will not be ready for when the border shuts tonight,” Cr Scheu said.

“They will have some way of working around this for tonight and until those permits are ready. For now I would encourage all border residents to get a letter from their employer or something similar to present to police to make their job easier and make the whole process smoother.”

Cr Scheu said he also wanted to emphasise that those who live close to the Queensland border will be exempt from any quarantine requirements should they need to travel interstate for ordinary purposes.

The QPS has confirmed that exemptions to the closure will include people who live near the Queensland border who ordinarily work or study across the border, or who must travel interstate for essential goods and services.

However, the key message is that residents must avoid all non-essential cross-border travel from tonight.

“I think the fact that we’re seeing the QPS develop a whole online system for crossing permits just shows that this is not going to be a short-term solution,” Cr Scheu said.

“I really think this is going to be our new normal for the foreseeable future so I would encourage residents and businesses to prepare for that and what it means for them.

“In the meantime we have to remember that the whole point of this is preventing the spread of COVID-19. I think that’s warranted and I would really ask everyone to take it on board and limit their travel to essential journeys only.”

For more information and some frequently asked questions about the border restrictions, please visit www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-border-restrictions.

25th March 2020 at 12:00 AM