Australia: Queensland authorities to ease border controls for Greater Sydney, New South Wales from 0100 Feb. 1 /update 17

Event

Queensland officials plan to downgrade Greater Sydney, New South Wales, from a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hotspot from 0100 Feb. 1. Authorities will no longer ban travelers from Greater Sydney, including Wollongong, the Blue Mountains, and the Central Coast, from entering the state or require quarantine. Officials will also allow cross-border ground transport to resume for all travelers from the region. The government will lift a border pass requirement for travelers from New South Wales, and police will end security checkpoints along the border.

Authorities continue to implement gathering and some commercial restrictions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Officials allow up to 50 people to gather at home and 100 people in public. The government limits capacity to one person per two square meters (21.5 square feet) at most indoor and outdoor venues. Most businesses, including bars and nightclubs, are operating with a government-approved COVID Safe plan. Hospitality businesses must transition to collecting and storing patrons' contact information electronically; hospitality venues that do not use electronic collection methods must limit capacity to one person per four square meters (43 square feet). Officials require a COVID Safe Event Plan for all indoor events above 500 people and outdoor events above 1,500 people. Authorities do not mandate facemask usage.

Domestic Border Controls
Until Feb. 1, Greater Sydney will remain a COVID-19 hotspot and most individuals that have traveled in the Sydney metropolitan area within the past 14 days remain banned from entering the state. Queensland residents and some essential personnel can still enter, but they must apply for a border pass, travel by air, and quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days upon arrival. Travelers from other parts of New South Wales can enter the state but must apply for a border pass. Police have imposed traffic checkpoints along roads linking Queensland with New South Wales to enforce the movement restrictions.

Quarantine Requirements
All international travelers entering Australia must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Queensland charges all arriving travelers, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, for quarantine, payable at the end of their stay. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,800 (USD 2,136) for the first adult, AUD 3,710 (USD 2,830) for two adults, and AUD 4,620 (USD 3,525) for two adults and two children. Authorities require quarantined travelers to take a COVID-19 test before release. Refusal to take tests will result in an additional 10 days in quarantine.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays in designated hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Queensland COVID-19 Information
Queensland Quarantine Information