Australia: Queensland officials adjust COVID-19 regulations as of Dec. 22 /update 48

Event

Queensland officials have eased COVID-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated people statewide as of Dec. 22. The measures also apply to people under 16 years old and medically exempt from vaccination. Fully vaccinated individuals can visit nonessential businesses, such as hospitality and entertainment venues, festivals, convention centers, and government-owned cultural sites. These establishments and event spaces can also operate without capacity limits. Unvaccinated residents can only access essential businesses, such as food shops and pharmacies. From 05:00 Dec. 23, authorities will require people in indoor retail settings and theaters and cinemas and workers in hospitality businesses to wear facemasks.

The government has also adjusted quarantine requirements for contacts of a COVID-19 case. Officials continue to classify exposures as low-risk, casual, or close contacts. Low-risk contacts do not have to quarantine or take any tests. Designated casual contacts must self-quarantine until receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. Fully vaccinated close contacts must quarantine for seven days and undergo testing on day 5, while unvaccinated close contacts continue to undergo quarantine for 14 days and take tests on days 5 and 12. Household members of designated contacts may also have to quarantine. Detailed information on exposure definitions and quarantine requirements is available here.

Domestic Measures
Authorities allow private indoor gatherings with up to 100 people; there are no limits on groups in public spaces. A facemask mandate remains in effect for public transport, including airports, airplanes, taxis, and ride-sharing vehicles; people under lockdown within the previous 14 days; inbound passengers traveling to quarantine; and transport drivers. Residents are encouraged to carry and wear a facemask when physical distancing is impossible.

The government permits businesses to operate with up to one person per four square meters (43 square feet) if patrons are unvaccinated. Events with unvaccinated adults are limited to the lesser of 20 people or the capacity limit. State officials require some companies, including indoor hospitality venues, convention centers, stadiums, and casinos, to comply with the COVID Safe Checklist. Officials require businesses to collect contact information; the government mandates establishments to use the Check In Qld mobile application in most settings.

Domestic Border Controls
All inbound travelers must complete and receive a Queensland entry pass 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated passengers from domestic hotspots do not need to quarantine, but they must take COVID-19 tests within 72 hours before departure and day 5 after arrival. Unvaccinated travelers from hotspots may only enter via air and must quarantine at a hotel for 14 days.

Fully vaccinated individuals may also travel between Queensland and non-restricted border zones in New South Wales for any reason and restricted border zones for permitted and essential reasons. COVID-19 testing will no longer be necessary for approved cross-border transit. Unvaccinated residents in these LGAs can only enter the state for work, school, legal, medical, or caregiving reasons and to purchase essential goods, provided they have not visited any other declared areas of concern in the previous 14 days. Officials can adjust measures for LGAs in the border zone at short notice, depending on COVID-19 activity. A complete list of border measures is available here.

Quarantine Requirements
Queensland requires most international arrivals to quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days in the city of arrival. Travelers that have been in New Zealand's South Island can enter on quarantine-free flights. Queensland charges all arriving travelers for quarantine; fees are payable at the end of the traveler's stay. Quarantine fees are AUD 2,800 for the first adult, AUD 3,710 for two adults, and AUD 4,620 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 14 days in quarantine.

Home quarantine is possible for some fully vaccinated Australian citizens, residents, or immediate family members traveling with them on direct international flights to Queensland or transiting other Australian destinations without exiting airports. To be eligible, travelers must submit a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure, enter via Brisbane Airport (BNE), have accommodation within two hours' driving distance from the airport, and use the Home Quarantine Check-In Service via a smartphone.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by government health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Plan for transport disruptions and delivery delays if authorities announce hotspot areas. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

Queensland COVID-19 Information
Queensland Quarantine Information
Queensland Contact Tracing