In a much anticipated announcement, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed that borders between New South Wales and Queensland will be removed from 1:00 am on the 3rd November.
The original date for re-opening the borders was set for the 1st November, but the Premier has decided to push it back slightly.
From the 3rd, residents of regional NSW will not be required to undergo any mandatory quarantine upon entry into QLD.
However, the state will remain closed to residents of Greater Sydney, or to anyone who has travelled through the region within the previous 14 days. Queensland will also be remaining closed to Victoria.
Ms Palaszczuk said she made the decision based on advice from her Chief Health Officer.
“I have always said that I will follow the health advise and this is Dr Young’s advice,” she said. “Keeping Queensland safe is also keeping our economy open and I will not risk the safety of Queenslanders.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has described the decision as 'very disappointing', saying that it's a political decision which may very well change tomorrow, following the results of the Queensland state election.
The ‘Greater Sydney’ suburbs not included in the border opening are:
Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-Ring-Gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Woollahra and Sydney Harbour (Unincorporated).