Border restrictions Direction (No. 13)

This direction has been superseded by the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60) on 5 September 2020

Schedule 1 – Essential activity

  1. A person entering Queensland for an essential activity must only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the activity and must:
    1. keep and retain written records of close contacts for a 14-day period commencing on their date of arrival in Queensland, or, if they remain in Queensland for a period of less than 14 days, for that period; and
    2. provide the records to an emergency officer (public health) if directed by an emergency officer (public health) or to a contact tracing officer; and
    3. minimise contact with the community for a period of 14 days; and
    4. to the extent reasonably practicable, practice physical distancing including by remaining at least 1.5 metres from other people.
  2. For the purpose of paragraph 2:
    1. a person is a close contact of another person if they are in the company of the other person:
      1. within an enclosed space for a period of 2 hours or longer; or
      2. within 1.5 metres of the other person for a period of 15 minutes or longer; and
    2. the records that are required to be kept are:
      1. the name and phone number and email address of the close contact and the day, time and location at which the close contact occurred; or
      2. if the name and phone number or email address are not known or it is not reasonably practicable to obtain them, the day, time and location at which the close contact occurred.
  3. A person who is a Queensland resident who arrives in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot:
    1. is not performing an essential activity if the person’s departure from Queensland was for a purpose unrelated to their work or duties, such as a departure for personal or recreational purposes, regardless of whether on return the person falls within the ambit of performing an essential activity; and
    2. will not be permitted enter Queensland on the basis they are performing an essential activity; and
    3. will be treated as a Queensland resident under Part 2, paragraph 11(a) and subject to those quarantine requirements in Schedule 2.
  4. Note: a Queensland resident who may usually perform an essential activity while in Queensland but if they departed Queensland to a COVID-19 hotspot for personal reasons, they will be required to quarantine when returning to Queensland in the same way as other returning Queensland residents and will not be permitted to leave quarantine to perform their essential activity while in quarantine.

  5. A person performing an essential activity will be required to quarantine in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 2, if any.
  6. Subject to paragraph 3, a person in the table below is performing an essential activity.
1. National defence, state security and police
  1. Any Government official who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the safety of Australia or Queensland against threats such as terrorism, war or espionage, and is required to be physically present in Queensland for such purposes.
  2. Active military personnel required to be on duty while in Queensland.
  3. An active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State or Commonwealth law enforcement agency required to be on duty while in Queensland.
  4. A Federal, State or local government elected representative who is travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland.
  5. Consular officers or consular employees of a consular post of an overseas country as defined in the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth) travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland.
  6. Note: Consular officials and consular employees are granted immunity from jurisdiction in certain circumstances under the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth).

2. Health services and emergency services
  1. A Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service crew or other aeromedical services crew who is providing emergency medical care or transport to a patient.
  2. A person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation.
  3. A person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for providing critical health support services for the critical maintenance, resupply or repair of health services infrastructure critical to Queensland. This includes Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
  4. A person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland including rural fire service, state emergency services and firefighters.
  5. A person who is a specialist health worker approved by the Chief Health Officer.
3. Transport of freight and logistics
  1. Any person, excluding air crew and maritime crew, who:
    1. is transporting freight to, from or through Queensland under a commercial freight operation and any other person in the vehicle who is essential for the delivery of the freight; or
    2. is transporting passengers by road or rail to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation; or
    3. Note: Each passenger as well as the driver must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass

    4. is providing logistics and support for the transport which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support.
    5. Example – a specialist mechanic or rail engineer providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of goods is providing an essential activity. Activities that can be performed remotely such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting are not essential activities.

  2. The person must to the extent reasonably practicable, remain isolated from the general public in their vehicle or accommodation until the person departs Queensland or for 14 days, whichever period is shorter.
4. Specialist worker

  1. A person required to provide emergency services or continuity of government services, infrastructure or utilities critical to Queensland but only if:
    1. the services provided by the person cannot be obtained in Queensland; and
    2. the service must be provided without delay; and
    3. the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the service or perform the duty; and
    4. the person’s status is approved as a specialist worker by the Chief Health Officer; and
    5. the person’s employer has a plan to manage preventing the transmission of COVID-19 amongst its employees and the community, and the plan complies with the requirements specified by the Chief Health Officer; and
    6. the person provides evidence of the following information upon arrival in Queensland:
      1. their status as an approved specialist worker; and
      2. the name of their employer; and
      3. that they are entering Queensland to go directly to work; and
      4. the location of the worksite or work camp; and
      5. the location of where they will be accommodated in Queensland while performing the essential activity; and
    7. the person complies with any conditions forming part of their approval as a specialist worker.
    8. For example, a person may be required to quarantine or remain isolated at their work site for 14 days as a condition of their approval as a specialist worker.

  2. A specialist worker is a person who provides emergency services or continuity of government or government funded services, industry, infrastructure or utilities critical to Queensland in the following:
    1. construction, including construction of transport infrastructure;
    2. manufacturing;
    3. resources, as a critical resources sector employee;
    4. energy;
    5. agribusiness or commercial fishing, but not a seasonal worker;
    6. emergency services;
    7. continuity of critical government or government funded services, infrastructure, or utilities.

    Example:  continuity of electricity and power, telecommunications, data, critical infrastructure, water supply, sewerage, sanitation and waste and recycling management, petroleum, gas mining and resource operations and critical agricultural operations necessary to maintain food supply.

5. Air crew and maritime crew

A person who is a member of an air crew or maritime crew who is entering Queensland in the course of their duties.

Note: Cruise ships are subject to the Restricting cruise ships from entering Queensland waters Direction (No. 2) or its successor and to the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 (Cth).

Note: Maritime vessels are subject to any General Manager Maritime Safety Queensland Directions issued under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 which may impose time-based arrival restrictions.

Schedule 2 – Queensland Border Declaration Pass and Requirements for Quarantine and mode of entry

Column 1Column 2 Column 3Column 4 Column 5
Person entering QueenslandQueensland Border Declaration PassEntry and evidence requirementsQuarantine RequirementsMode of entry
See paragraph 14
1.

A person entering Queensland from overseas.

see Part 3, paragraph 19 (a)

No

Note: the person must comply with any declaration requirements for overseas arrivals

Not applicable

Self-Quarantine for persons arriving in Queensland from overseas Direction (No. 5) or its successor.

Not applicable
2.

A person who has had contact in the last 14 days with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

see Part 3, paragraph 19 (b)

Required

 

Global quarantine requirements

Not applicable
3.

A person entering Queensland who has had symptoms consistent with of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

see Part 3, paragraph 19 (e)

Required

 

Global quarantine requirements unless a person can provide written evidence of a negative test while symptomatic.

Not applicable

A person listed below who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days—see Part 2 

Residents, new residents and border zone residents
4. Queensland resident
See Part 2, paragraph 11(a)
Required Evidence the person resides in Queensland. Global quarantine requirements. Must enter by air
5. New resident
See Part 2, paragraph 11(a)
Required Evidence of where the person will reside in Queensland after they leave quarantine. Global quarantine requirements. Must enter by air
6. Border zone resident of New South Wales
See Part 2A
Required Evidence that the person resides in the border zone. None, unless the person has travelled in the COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone, in which case the person must not enter Queensland. May enter by road, rail or sea only if they have not been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone in the last 14 days.
7. Border zone resident who is a Queensland resident
See Part 2A
Required Evidence that the person resides in the border zone. None, unless the person has travelled in the COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone, in which case the person must comply with global quarantine requirements. May enter by road, rail or sea only if they have not been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone in the last 14 days.

Essential Activity - National defence, state security and police under Schedule 1

8. A Government official who, in carrying out their duties in Queensland, is responsible for the safety of Australia or Queensland against threats such as terrorism, war or espionage. Required Relevant government issued identification. No May enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport
9. Active military personnel on duty in Queensland. Required Relevant government issued identification. Quarantine at military base or military property. A person cannot quarantine at a private residence. May enter by road, rail, sea or air
10. An active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State or Commonwealth law enforcement agency on active duty in Queensland. Required Relevant government issued identification. A person who has been on COVID-19 related duties in the COVID-19 hotspot must quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements. Any other officer must remain isolated, to the extent reasonably practicable, from the general public until the person departs Queensland or for 14 days, whichever period is shorter. May enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport
11. A Federal, State or local government elected representative. Required Relevant government issued identification. Quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements in their home residence. Must enter via air
12. Consular employees or consular officials of a consular post of an overseas country. Required A Consular Official or Diplomat passport of a foreign country

Quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements with consent.

.

May enter by road, rail, sea or air

Essential activity - Health services and emergency services under Schedule 1

13. A Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service crew or other aeromedical services crew who is providing emergency medical care or transport to a patient. Required Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment. None May enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport
14. A person responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation . Required Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment. No May enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport
15. A person responsible for providing critical health support services for the critical maintenance, resupply or repair of health services infrastructure critical to Queensland. Required Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment. A letter from an appropriate officer of Queensland Health confirming the person is required in Queensland. No May enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport
16. A person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland. Required Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment or volunteer status. No May enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport
17. A specialist health worker Required

Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer.

Written approval from Chief Health Officer.

Must quarantine as required by the approval given by the Chief Health Officer for specialist health worker status. May enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport.
Essential activity - Transport of freight and logistics under Schedule 1
18.
This item has been superseded on 1.00am 7 January 2022. See the current restrictions for Freight Services in effect under Border Restrictions Direction (No. 14)
Person performing an essential activity of transporting freight or logistics
see Part 2, paragraph 11(e)
Required   Remain isolated, to the extent reasonably practicable, from the general public in their vehicle or accommodation until the person departs Queensland or for 14 days, whichever period is shorter. May enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport
Essential activity - Specialist worker under Schedule 1
19. A specialist worker listed in Schedule 1 Required Evidence of specialist worker status and information as specified in Schedule 1. Must quarantine as required by the approval given by the Chief Health Officer for specialist worker status. May enter as allowed by their specialist worker status
Essential activity - Air and maritime crew under Schedule 1
20. Person performing an essential activity who is air crew
see Part 2, paragraph 11(e)
Required   Quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements unless unless a class exemption applies. Must enter by air
21. Person performing an essential activity who is maritime crew
see Part 2, paragraph 11(e)
Must comply with the protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer.   Must comply with the protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer. Must enter in accordance with the protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer
Other reasons to enter Queensland under Part 2, paragraph 11
22. Person entering for child contact or shared parenting arrangements
see Part 2, paragraph 11 (c)
Required Must provide evidence of a court order or legal agreement Quarantine as required global quarantine requirements, unless the person can meet the requirements in paragraph 4 below. Must enter by air
23. Person entering to attend court
see Part 2,  paragraphs 11(b)
Required Must provide evidence of a court order and confirmation from the Court that they are required to attend in person. Quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements, unless the person can meet the requirements in paragraph 4 below. Must enter by air
24. Person entering meet law enforcement obligations
see Part 2,  paragraph 11 (d)
Required The person must be able to provide written evidence from the relevant law enforcement agency that they are required in Queensland. Quarantine as required by the global quarantine requirements, unless the person can meet the requirements in paragraph 4 below. Must enter by air unless being transported by law enforcement
25. Person in transit through a Queensland airportsee Part 2, paragraph 11(f) Required   The person must remain in the confines of the airport. A person who leaves the confines of the airport must quarantine until the time of their onward flight. Must enter by air
26.

Person who transited through an airport in a COVID-19 hotspot
see Part 2, paragraphs11(h)

Required   A person may enter Queensland without quarantining provided they entered from an approved airport and remained within the confines of the airport. A person entering from an airport that is not an approved airport will have to quarantine as required by global quarantine requirements. Must enter by air
27. Higher education institution or boarding school students entering for the purposes of receiving instruction, including a parent or guardian accompanying a student who is a minor
see Part 2, paragraph 11(h)
Required   Quarantine as required global quarantine requirements, unless the person can meet the requirements in paragraph 4 below. May enter by road or rail only if a commercial flight to Queensland is not available from an airport within 300km of their primary place of residence.
28. Person entering to obtain essential health care, or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care Required Evidence required under the definition of essential health care in paragraph 35 Quarantine as required by health care quarantine requirements in paragraph 5 and 6 below May enter by road, rail or air
29. Person granted a Chief Health Officer exemption
See Part 4,  paragraph 21
Required Evidence of the exemption granted Quarantine as required by any conditions given with exemption Must enter as required by conditions given with exemption

Quarantine requirements

For the purpose of this Schedule, the global quarantine requirements are specified in paragraphs 1 to 3 below.

  1. The person must:
    1. quarantine in a nominated premises and remain in that place for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland; and
    2. Note: A person may be directed by an emergency officer (public health) to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation at their own expense in accordance with section 362MC of the Public Health Act 2005.

    3. travel to the nominated premises by the most direct practical route and means to the place; and
    4. not leave the nominated premises for a 14-day period, except:
      1. for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care or supplies or acting as a support person for a person obtaining essential medical care; or
      2. Example–a parent and child leaving quarantine for a child to receive essential medical treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital

      3. to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or
      4. Example–escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence

      5. in the event of an emergency situation; or
      6. to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal; or
      7. to assist with or participate in a State or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or
      8. for airline crew, to carry out essential regulatory or safety flight related duties or to attend their next work duty; or
      9. Example–flight simulation training, safety and security training.

      10. to leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping; or
      11. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and
    5. provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to being able to leave quarantine for any reason other than an emergency situation; or
    6. wear a protective mask when leaving quarantine as permitted under paragraph 1(c); and
    7. any travel under paragraph 1(c) must be:
      1. by private vehicle; or
      2. by a taxi with a protective shield between driver and passenger or a taxi van that allows for physical distancing between the driver and passenger; or
      3. by transport arranged by a government authority; and
    8. not permit any other person to enter the nominated premises unless that other person:
      1. resides in the nominated premises or is also quarantining at the nominated premises; or
      2. enters the nominated premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the nominated premises; or
      3. enters to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact including as part of an order or arrangement under the Child Protection Act 1999; or
      4. enters the nominated premises to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal; or
      5. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).
  2. A person who is permitted to leave their nominated premises during the period of quarantine must  take all reasonable steps to minimise contact with other persons.
  3. A person unable to live independently without ongoing or regular support, including disability support, due to significant health needs, may have a carer or support person quarantine at the nominated premises with them at their own expense.
  4. A person permitted to enter Queensland under Part 2 will be required to quarantine as required by paragraphs 1 to 5 above unless the person:
    1. has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine in another State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland; and
    2. provides the following to an emergency officer (public health):
      1. written confirmation of the person’s quarantine period from a government authority of another State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine was completed; and
      2. written confirmation from the health authority of another State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine was completed that the person had a negative COVID-19 test result after day 10 (or later) of the government mandated quarantine; and
      3. an undertaking that the person wore a protective mask and travelled by the most practicable direct route without stopping from the place of government mandated quarantine to an airport to depart the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport.
    3. any travel under paragraph 6(b)(iii) must be by:
      1. private vehicle; or
      2. a taxi with a protective shield between driver and passenger or a taxi van that allows for physical distancing between the driver and passenger; or
      3. transport arranged by the government authority.
    4. Note–a private vehicle does not include a bus or shuttle service including an airport shuttle, airport transfer service or regional or inter-city bus service.

    5. A person who is unable to meet all of the requirements in paragraphs a, b and c above must quarantine in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 5 above.
    6. A person who satisfies paragraphs a, b(i) and b(iii) but is unable to meet the requirement in paragraph (b)(ii) above, must quarantine for 14 days or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, whichever is the shorter period.

      For example, a returning Queensland resident who has completed government mandated quarantine for 14 days in another State or Territory but has not had a negative COVID-19 test, will be required to quarantine in Queensland until they receive a negative COVID-19 test.

  5. A person entering Queensland for essential health care, or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care, will have to quarantine as follows:
    1. for a day admission, procedure or appointment, the person or support person must remain within the confines of the place care is being received and leave Queensland immediately following the treatment or appointment; or
    2. for a person required to stay in Queensland for more than one day who is not admitted into a facility or service, in government nominated accommodation at their own expense until the time the care is complete, and they leave Queensland; or
    3. for a person admitted at a hospital, facility or service for more than one day, at the place of admission; or
    4. for a support person who needs to remain in Queensland for more than one day, in government nominated accommodation, unless the hospital or facility can accommodate the person; or
    5. for a support person transporting a person to or from Queensland to receive care, the support person must remain in the vehicle until the care is complete, or immediately leave Queensland without stopping after dropping off or picking up the person receiving care in Queensland.
  6. A person entering Queensland for essential health care, or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care, will have to quarantine for the period of time they are required to be present in Queensland. Once care is complete, a person must leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping. A person is not required to remain in quarantine for 14 days if their treatment is less than 14 days.

Schedule 3 – Border Zone

  1. The border zone comprises the geographical areas within the following postcodes which are represented visually on the Public Health Direction (COVID-19 Border Restrictions) Map approved by the CHO and published on the Queensland Health website.
NEW SOUTH WALESQUEENSLAND

2361

4207

2371 (the parts within the Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield Local Government Area only)

4208

2372

4209

2831 (the parts within the Brewarrina Local Government Area only)

4210

2400 4211

2405

4212

2406

4213

2408

4214

2409

4215

2410

4216

2411

4217

2474

4218

2475

4219

2476

4220

2483 (the parts  within Tweed Shire only)

4221

2484

4222 (the parts within Gold Coast City Local Government Area only)

2485

4223

2486

4224

2487

4225

2488

4226

2489

4227

2490

4228

2833

4229

2834

4230

2838

4230

2839

4270

2840

4271

2880

4272

4275

4280

4285

4287

4310

4352 (the parts within Goondiwindi and Southern Downs Local Government Area only)

4357 (the parts within the Goondiwindi Local Government Area only)

4362

4365

4370

4371

4372

4373

4374

4375

4376

4377

4378

4380

4381

4382

4383

4384

4385

4387

4388

4390

4406 (the parts within the Goondiwindi Local Government Area only)

4486

4487 (the parts within the Balonne Local Government Area only)

4488

4490

4491

4492

4493

4494

4496

4497

4498

Understanding this Direction

Information to help you understand what the closure of the Queensland border means to travellers and residents.

Find out more

Queensland entry pass

You must complete a Queensland entry pass to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, including returning Queensland residents.

Form for patient/client entering Queensland to receive essential health care

Anyone entering Queensland from a declared COVID-19 hotspot to receive essential healthcare must show written evidence including the time and place in Queensland that the essential healthcare is to be provided.

This evidence can be in the form of an official letter or the facility may choose to use the approved form for entering Queensland to receive essential health care (DOCX 72 kB) which has been developed to assist with this.

Protocol for Maritime Crew

For information for maritime crew entering Queensland to join a vessel or sign off  a vessel see the Protocol for Maritime Crew.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Checklist

When facilitating crew changeovers, agents are required to follow the protocol and seek Regional Harbour Master endorsement using the MSQ checklist prior to a transfer being endorsed.

Last updated: 23 September 2020