Australian state border restrictions

[jakeseven7]

SA is reducing the testing and iso requirement but expressing grave concern about spread.

Margarine spread? It’s true it’s not that great for you…

 

[N860CR]

I seem to be getting the same msg from SA at 10:30 every morning. Apparently I’m arriving each and everyday. Just blocked the number

 

[justinbrett]

Updated on Queensland gov website:​

​

Restrictions after 1am AEST 13 December​

If you have been in a declared hotspot in the past 14 days you may travel to Queensland provided you:

• are fully vaccinated
• have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival into Queensland.
• agree to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 5 following your arrival into Queensland.

If it’s not practical for you to get a PCR test on day 5 (for example, you’re staying on an island and there are no testing clinics open, or day 5 for you falls on Christmas Day), you can have your test on day 4, or as soon as practicable after day 5.

I plan to be drunk as a skunk on day 4, 5 and OK, as soon as I sober up, I'll go for a test.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Media reports that the fifth Ashes Test will be in Hobart

 

[TomVexille]

Interesting that the current low level outbreak on the Gold Coast is met with "face-masks and checking-in are strongly recommended" - very different tune being sung - more like living with covid.

Come on, they have a major sporting event on. Covid doesn't exist during QLD sporting events

 

[jase05]

Media reports that the fifth Ashes Test will be in Hobart

Yes, day/night test in Hobart

 

[Pushka]

I seem to be getting the same msg from SA at 10:30 every morning. Apparently I’m arriving each and everyday. Just blocked the number

I'm up to 14 now. I get two each day.

 

[blackcat20]

Been using the NSW Service app this week as I'm in NSW. I'm from Mel.

Everytime I go to qr in, I have to either using biometric or pin to use the app, then have to click no dependants each time. Have dependent, but just easier to not put them in, geez. If one of us covid we're all covid really FFS.
Then actually have to put a check out time in, usually once I'm home or checking into new venue I notice it.

Such a pain compared to the Vic app, just open app, scan, one click yes, then on my way.

How others find this Vic/NSW apps?

Extremely high checking of vaccine proof in Coffs Harbour. Instilled into staff, odd loose entry. Also very impressed with mask wearing in locations where need be. Even with humidity this week.

I found the app kept trying to recheck me into the first place I used it. So I accidentally checked in there rather than where I actually was a few times.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Exactly, as the only test place within 25kms of Port Douglas is in Mossman and their revised hours updated this week mean not open Friday (day 4 for me), Public Holidays (day 5 for me), Sundays (Day 6 for me) and frankly I leave on morning of Day 7 so need to be at the airport before they even open.

Id still like for Qld to come clean and publish what the non compliance fine is, so I can weigh up whether to go or not. If fine of $100 that's cheaper than the taxi to/from Mossman. If its like $10k, may as well stay home.

You asked for it...

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:
Failure to comply with public health directions

• A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
• Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

A penalty unit is currently $137.85 so the maximum penalty under s362D would be $13,785 or 6 months jail. All the jurisdictions have dire penalties like this.

Unusually, Qld have published the new border direction (No 56!!) in advance of Monday. I don't think there would be any prosecutions for failure to get a day 5 test where you intended to but were unable to. Here's the primary requirement for domestic travellers from NSW or Vic or Adelaide

4. A person must not enter Queensland unless the person:

b. has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days ..., and:

1. is fully vaccinated; and
2. has undertaken a COVID-19 PCR test at a COVID-19 hotspot within 72 hours of the person’s arrival in Queensland and the person has received a negative test result; and
3. will undertake a COVID- 19 PCR test on Day 5, or as close to Day 5 as practical, after the person’s arrival in Queensland; and
   Example: A person may need to be tested on Day 4 if Day 5 is a public holiday.
   Example: A person who is in a remote location on Day 5 and does not have access to a pathology provider, may be tested instead on Day 4 or Day 6.

"Will undertake a test" means you have to arrive with the intention of taking a test. I can't actually find a requirement to take the test itself in the declaration that if breached would give rise to potential penalty. The day 4 or 6 thing that has been bandied about is illustrative examples of "as soon as practical". In the circumstances you mention it doesn't look like it would be practical to get the test until after you have returned to NSW, and once there it looks to me like you would have a reasonable excuse - you're back in the hotspot.

Cheers skip

 

[jakeseven7]

Media reports that the fifth Ashes Test will be in Hobart

Seem to remember some members flaming me for posts one end saying there is no way Tassie would get it. Told ya so .

I do feel sorry for the long suffering hospo and tourism and event related industries though in Perth. Hopefully not too much longer but you are missing out on yet another summer

 

[jakeseven7]

You asked for it...

A penalty unit is currently $137.85 so the maximum penalty under s362D would be $13,785 or 6 months jail. All the jurisdictions have dire penalties like this.

Unusually, Qld have published the new border direction (No 56!!) in advance of Monday. I don't think there would be any prosecutions for failure to get a day 5 test where you intended to but were unable to. Here's the primary requirement for domestic travellers from NSW or Vic or Adelaide

"Will undertake a test" means you have to arrive with the intention of taking a test. I can't actually find a requirement to take the test itself in the declaration that if breached would give rise to potential penalty. The day 4 or 6 thing that has been bandied about is illustrative examples of "as soon as practical". In the circumstances you mention it doesn't look like it would be practical to get the test until after you have returned to NSW, and once there it looks to me like you would have a reasonable excuse - you're back in the hotspot.

Cheers skip

Yup - Like I said. Drive a semi trailer through it. The day 5 test is going to suffer from a lot of civil disobedience I suspect (non intended of course!). I fully intend to intend to get mine as soon as it’s practical when I return

 

[MelMel]

Exactly, as the only test place within 25kms of Port Douglas is in Mossman and their revised hours updated this week mean not open Friday (day 4 for me), Public Holidays (day 5 for me), Sundays (Day 6 for me) and frankly I leave on morning of Day 7 so need to be at the airport before they even open.

Id still like for Qld to come clean and publish what the non compliance fine is, so I can weigh up whether to go or not. If fine of $100 that's cheaper than the taxi to/from Mossman. If its like $10k, may as well stay home.

Mossman hours have been updated but it’s still only drive through. The nearest walk-ins are at Kuranda and Smithfield but no mention of Public Holidays. I think if you don’t have a car it’s not “reasonable” for you to be able to get a test.

 

[MelMel]

@Lynda2475 Just for the hell of it I called Qld Health Covid information and explained ”my” situation at Christmas re: day 5 testing. The woman looked up the nearest testing centre (Mossman) I said I won’t have a car. Her response..........”ummmmmm, well yes, I don’t know what you would do. Maybe call Qld Pathology and explain your situation ” So if the Qld Health response is “I don’t know” I would just forget about a test and if they contact you just say it was totally impractical to get a test

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks i tried calling the Mossman test centre multiple times this week to see if there was any flexibility for those without cars but number goes straight to a full mesg bank where you cant leave a message.

The data re hours and travel testing on their website and Qld health website differs too. Both have been updating with different info a few times over last few days.

And to top it off there is a debate as to what constitutes day 5, based on whether arrival day is day 0 or 1.

I spoke to a few pathology places in the region to see if they offered private paid testing and they dont and all have been inundated with calls.

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks i tried calling the Mossman test centre multiple times this week to see if there was any flexibility for those without cars but number goes straight to a full mesg bank where you cant leave a message.

The data re hours and travel testing on their website and Qld health website differs too. Both have been updating with different info a few times over last few days.

And to top it off there is a debate as to what constitutes day 5, based on whether arrival day is day 0 or 1.

I spoke to a few pathology places in the region to see if they offered private paid testing and they dont and all have been inundated with calls.

In Hawaii, most of the resorts have their own pop up testing clinics.

Seems like something QLD could have done (just get a team to spend an hour or so in each hotel).

Have you tried calling the hotel to see if they would run a shuttle to the testing centre?

 

[jakeseven7]

@Lynda2475 Just for the hell of it I called Qld Health Covid information and explained ”my” situation at Christmas re: day 5 testing. The woman looked up the nearest testing centre (Mossman) I said I won’t have a car. Her response..........”ummmmmm, well yes, I don’t know what you would do. Maybe call Qld Pathology and explain your situation ” So if the Qld Health response is “I don’t know” I would just forget about a test and if they contact you just say it was totally impractical to get a test

Exactly. I’m not worried and I’m going to be in a similar situation when I get back

 

[Isolar]

Updated on Queensland gov website:​

[snip]​

• have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival into Queensland.
• agree to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 5 following your arrival into Queensland.

[snip]

Can someone tell me what kind of test is acceptable here for the first one? (similar question for Tasmania's requirements).

i.e. are the results from a free drive-thru test before departure in Sydney acceptable or do you have to pay for a private pathology test? (As required by some international destinations).

 

[PineappleSkip]

The free tests are fine, you just need to be able to show the result, e.g. SMS message.

 

[jakeseven7]

Can someone tell me what kind of test is acceptable here for the first one? (similar question for Tasmania's requirements).

i.e. are the results from a free drive-thru test before departure in Sydney acceptable or do you have to pay for a private pathology test? (As required by some international destinations).

Free is fine and the states have to accept the text results. I’m not sure how ‘real’ alot of peoples text results will be though

 

[oz_mark]

Surprised this took so long.

Effective 12:01am, Monday 13 December, Queensland will transition to the ‘low risk’ category under WA’s controlled border arrangement.