Queensland will open its borders to greater Sydney from 1 December, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday morning.
“Can I say to NSW, we welcome you to Queensland from the first of December, we know how tough this has been on families,” she told reporters.
“We know how important it is that the airlines are able to plan, and people are able to plan for their holidays as well.
“Queensland is good to go. We absolutely want to see our tourism industry continue to flourish and prosper.”
Queensland authorities will on Wednesday make a decision on when to open the border to Victoria.
Ms Palaszczuk said that, all things going well, Queensland would open to Victoria from 1 December as well.
“I think it’s great news in the lead-up to Christmas, but once again, that timely reminder for everybody – we need to make sure that we continue to keep up our social distancing. Our good hand hygiene as well. That is really important.”
Chief health officer Jeannette Young said they were carefully watching the recent outbreak in South Australia, and would soon make a decision on that border.
“South Australia – we’re still waiting to see how their outbreak unfolds,” she told reporters.
“It’s been really good so far. They’ve had only small numbers. We just have to see what happens in that first incubation period.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday said she hadn’t been notified in advance about Queensland opening the border.
“I haven’t, except that public reports that (Ms Palaszczuk) would announce something this afternoon,” she told the ABC.
“I would be thrilled if that is the case.”
With AAP.
