Superseded - Border restrictions Direction (No. 22)

This direction has been superseded on 22 February 2021. See the current Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60).

Summary

Effective from: 10.30pm AEST 31 January 2021

Posted: 31 January 2021

Superseded on: 22 February 2021

Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)

Section 362B

On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 31 March 2021 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr Jeannette Young, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following direction pursuant to the powers under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

Guidance

A person entering Queensland must comply with any relevant requirements of other Public Health Directions while the person is in Queensland. A person entering Queensland who has been overseas in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland must comply with the entry and quarantine requirements under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction or successor.

Separately from the requirements under Public Health Directions, under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, a person may be given a direction by an emergency officer (public health) to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Citation

  1. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 22).

Revocation

  1. The Border Restrictions Direction (No. 21) effective from 1.00am 22 December 2020 is revoked from time of publication of this Direction.

Commencement

  1. This Direction applies from time of publication until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless revoked or replaced.

PART 1 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – GENERAL

  1. A person must not enter Queensland unless the person either:

    1. has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter; or

    2. has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter, but is permitted to enter Queensland under part 2.

  2. Example: On 19 December 2020 one local government area in New South Wales was declared as a COVID-19 hotspot. The start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot is 11 December 2020.

    To remove any doubt, if an area of Australia is removed from the list of COVID-19 hotspots, a person may enter Queensland as soon as the area is no longer a COVID-19 hotspot, even if the person had been in the COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their entry to Queensland.

    Example – The Northern Territory is decided by the Chief Health Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 June 2020 and removed as a COVID-19 hotspot from 10 am on 1 September 2020. A person may enter Queensland from 10am on 1 September 2020, even if the person had been in the Northern Territory during the previous 14 days.

  3. A person who enters Queensland and develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry, must present for a COVID-19 test.

  4. A person is taken not to have been in a COVID-19 hotspot under this Direction if the person:

    1. arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by air for the sole purpose of transiting through an approved airport in the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport; or

    2. transited through a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport stopping only for essential fuel and fatigue management, wore a face mask at all times when stopping and did not stay overnight in a COVID-19 hotspot; or

    3. arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by road and used private transport to travel directly from their point of arrival to an airport in a COVID-19 hotspot, stopping only for essential fuel and fatigue management, wore a face mask at all times when stopping, to depart the COVID-19 hotspot by air.

PART 2 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT

  1. A person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter, must not enter Queensland unless the person:

    1. is a Queensland resident or a new Queensland resident; or

    2. is required to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal; or

    3. is required to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

    4. is required to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

    5. is required to perform an essential activity under part 3; or

    6. arrives at an airport in Queensland by air and the person:

      1. transfers directly to another flight to leave Queensland without leaving the confines of the airport; or

      2. quarantines until the time of their flight to leave Queensland; or

      3. if the person arrives to Gold Coast airport from an approved airport, transits directly by road to leave Queensland without leaving the vehicle; or

    7. is a student at a higher education institution or boarding school and is entering Queensland for the purposes of receiving instruction, including a parent or guardian accompanying a student who is a minor; or

    8. is entering Queensland to obtain essential health care, or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care and provides written evidence from the health care provider of the time and place in Queensland that the health care is to be provided; or

      Example – a parent bringing a child for treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital will need to provide evidence of the appointment such as a letter from the hospital.

    9. is entering Queensland as a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service.

  2. However, an unaccompanied minor must not enter Queensland if either of the following apply:

    1. in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland or since the start date identified for a COVID-19 hotspot they have been in a place which at the time of entry to Queensland is a COVID-19 hotspot; or

    2. they are an international arrival and Queensland is not their first port of entry to Australia,

      unless the minor:

      1. has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine in another State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland and satisfies the requirements in part B of schedule 2; or

      2. will, from their point of arrival in Queensland, be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to a nominated premises and the parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult consents to quarantine in a nominated premises with the minor in accordance with the relevant quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2.

        Example – a parent is present at the Brisbane airport to meet the minor, accompany them to a government-nominated hotel and quarantine together so as to provide supervision as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

  3. A person permitted to enter Queensland under paragraphs 7 or 8 must:

    1. give, or have given within the previous 14 days, a Queensland Border Declaration Pass under paragraph 15 unless not required to do so under paragraph 16; and

    2. only enter by air unless this direction provides otherwise; and

      Note: See paragraph 10 and column 5 of schedule 1 for instances where entry other than by air is permitted.

    3. only enter from an approved airport if specified in column 5 of schedule 1; and

    4. comply with the quarantine and evidence requirements of parts 5 and 6.

  4. An emergency officer (public health) may direct a person to enter Queensland by road if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to respond to an emergency or serious situation.

PART 3 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT – ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY

  1. A person performs an essential activity if the person is performing duties as any of the following:

    1. a national defence, state security or police worker;

    2. an emergency health services or emergency services worker;

    3. a freight or logistics operator;

    4. an emergency infrastructure worker;

    5. a disaster management worker;

    6. a specialist or essential worker;

    7. air crew or maritime crew.

  2. A person entering Queensland to perform an essential activity must:

    1. if the person is not a Queensland resident, only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the essential activity;

    2. keep the records required by paragraph 23(a);

    3. minimise contact with the community for a period of 14 days;

    4. to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing including by remaining at least 1.5 metres from other people;

    5. comply with any protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer that relates to the essential activity to be performed.

      Example – Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland, Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland, or Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland.

  3. A Queensland resident who arrives in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot:

    1. is not permitted to enter Queensland on the basis they are performing an essential activity if the person’s departure from Queensland was:

      1. unrelated to their work or duties, such as a departure for personal or recreational purposes; or

      2. to attend work in a COVID-19 hotspot performing an essential activity and the person’s only place of work is in the COVID-19 hotspot; and

    2. will be treated as a Queensland resident under paragraph 7(a) and subject to the quarantine requirements in part 5.

  4. Example for paragraph (a)(i): A Queensland resident who is performing an essential activity while in Queensland but who departs Queensland and travels to a COVID-19 hotspot for personal reasons, 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.

Specialist or essential workers

  1. A relevant Queensland Government Agency or Queensland Health where there is not a relevant Queensland Government Agency for a person or industry, may endorse a person as a specialist or essential worker if:

    1. the services provided by the person are needed in Queensland; and

    2. the services provided by the person cannot be obtained in Queensland; and

    3. the services must be provided without delay; and

    4. the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the services; and

    5. the person’s employer or business has a quarantine management plan to manage preventing the transmission of COVID-19 among its employees and the community, and the plan is in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

    6. the person provides evidence of the following documents if requested by an emergency officer (public health) and carries the documents at all times while in Queensland:

      1. endorsement as a specialist or essential worker;

      2. quarantine management plan; and

    7. the person complies with any conditions forming part of their endorsement as a specialist or essential worker and the requirements in their quarantine management plan.

  2. Example – continuity of electricity and power, telecommunications, data, critical infrastructure, water supply, utilities, sewerage, sanitation and waste and recycling management, petroleum, gas mining and resource operations, critical agricultural operations necessary to maintain food supply, health, construction, emergency services.

PART 4 – QUEENSLAND BORDER DECLARATION PASS

  1. This part applies to a person who:

    1. has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter; or

    2. has been in an Australian State or Territory with a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days.

      Note: a person who in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland has been overseas must comply with the requirements of the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction.

      Note: Under paragraph 9(a), a Queensland Border Declaration Pass is valid for 14 days. A person does not have to do a new pass unless the person’s circumstances change. For example, if the person has developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

  2. A person mentioned in paragraph 15 must apply for and receive a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before entering Queensland and must declare:

    1. whether the person has in the previous 14 days:

      1. been overseas;

      2. been in a COVID-19 hotspot;

      3. had known contact with a person who is or was a confirmed case of COVID-19;

      4. had symptoms consistent with COVID-19;

    2. whether the person is a confirmed case of COVID-19 or cleared case of COVID-19;

    3. whether the person has been tested for COVID-19 and has not yet received the results of that test;

    4. the person’s name, date of birth, phone number, address and email address;

    5. for an adult – if requested, satisfactory evidence of identity;

      Examples of evidence of identity – driver licence, Medicare card

    6. for a Queensland resident – if requested, satisfactory evidence the person resides in Queensland; and

    7. any other information or documents required by an emergency officer (public health) or required by the application for the Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

      Examples of information required – names of people travelling together in the one party, planned date of arrival to Queensland and planned place of entry to Queensland.

      Example of documents required – boarding pass for a person arriving by air.

  3. The following persons are not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass:

    1. an emergency health services or emergency service worker or national defence, state security or police worker responding to an emergency in Queensland; and

    2. a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service; and

    3. maritime crew, where permitted under the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

    4. a person remanded in custody of a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency, subject to an extradition order or otherwise, who is required to enter Queensland to comply with a court order or assist with or participate in an investigation or other action at the direction of the law enforcement agency; and

    5. a disaster management worker, where permitted under the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

      Note: under the protocol a disaster management worker who is responding to a disaster (disaster response worker) is not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass. A disaster management worker who is entering Queensland to perform disaster prevention, preparation or recovery activities is required to have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

PART 5 – QUARANTINE

  1. A person listed in column 1 of schedule 1 who enters Queensland must quarantine in accordance with the requirements in column 4 of schedule 1 if the person:

    1. in the previous 14 days has been an international arrival; or

    2. has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter, and is permitted to enter under part 2.

  2. A person required to quarantine under paragraph 18(b) who enters Queensland to perform an essential activity must comply with the general quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2 unless provided otherwise by column 4 of schedule 1 or a Chief Health Officer or delegate exemption.

  3. If a person required to quarantine under this part or by a direction of an emergency officer (public health) is not tested for COVID-19 when requested to do so by an emergency officer (public health), the person must quarantine for a further 10 days.

  4. Notes:

    Under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, an emergency officer (public health) can give a direction to a person to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes the direction is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

    Chapter 8, part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005 applies to a person required to quarantine and requires a person to pay a fee for quarantine.

PART 6 – EVIDENTIARY PROVISIONS, RECORD-KEEPING AND MASKS

General

  1. A person listed in column 1 of schedule 1 who enters Queensland must have the evidence or documents listed in column 3 of schedule 1.

  2. If requested by an emergency officer (public health), a person must give the records or evidence required to be kept under paragraph 21 to the emergency officer.

Essential activities

  1. A person who enters Queensland under paragraph 7 must:

    1. if the person is entering to perform an essential activity under paragraph 7(e) – keep records of close contacts during the time the person is in Queensland;

    2. otherwise – keep evidence of the basis on which entry is permitted.

  2. If requested by an emergency officer (public health) or contact tracing officer, a person must give the records or evidence required to be kept under paragraph 23 to the emergency officer or contact tracing officer.

  3. For paragraph 23(a):

    1. close contact means another person in the company of the first person:

      1. within an enclosed space for a period of 2 hours or longer; or

      2. within 1.5 metres of each other for a period of 15 minutes or longer; and

    2. the records required to be kept are:

      1. the name, phone number and email address of the close contact and the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; and

      2. if the name, phone number and email address are not known or it is not reasonably practicable to obtain them, the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; or

    3. for persons entering as disaster management workers, the records required to be kept are those set out in the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Masks

  1. A requirement of this Direction to wear a face mask does not apply to a child under the age of 12 years.

PART 7 – EXEMPTIONS

  1. The Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may give a person or class of persons an exemption:

    1. to enter Queensland if the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or delegate considers the person or class of persons is essential for the proper functioning of the State and the person or class of persons must be physically present in Queensland; or

    2. from a requirement of this Direction if other extreme exceptional circumstances exist.

  2. An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.

PART 8 – DEFINITIONS

  1. Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 3.

PART 9 - PENALTIES

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:

Failure to comply with public health directions

  • A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
  • Maximum penalty–100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr Jeannette Young
Chief Health Officer

31 January 2021

Published on the Queensland Health website at 10.30pm AEST 31 January 2021

Schedule 1 – Queensland Border Declaration Pass, Quarantine requirements and mode of entry

Requirements for entry to Queensland – people who have been overseas in the last 14 days

ItemColumn 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
 Person entering QueenslandQueensland Border Declaration PassEntry and evidence requirementsQuarantine requirements

Mode of entry

See paragraph 9(b) and 9(c)

  1.  

An international arrival

See Part 5, paragraph 18(a)

Not required

Note: The person must comply with any declaration requirements for international arrivals.

Not applicableMust comply with Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction or its successor.Not applicable.

Requirements for entry to Queensland under Parts 2 and 3 – Entry from a COVID-19 hotspot

Item

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
 Person entering Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspotQueensland Border Declaration PassEntry and evidence requirementsQuarantine requirements

Mode of entry

See paragraph 9(b) and 9(c)

Queensland residents and new Queensland residents
  1.  

Queensland resident re-entering Queensland after travelling in a COVID-19 hotspot.

See Part 2 paragraph 7(a)

RequiredEvidence the person resides in Queensland.Must comply with general quarantine requirements.Must enter by air.
  1.  
New Queensland resident.
See Part 2, paragraph 7(a)
RequiredEvidence of where the person will reside in Queensland after they leave quarantine.Must comply with general quarantine requirements.Must enter by air.
National defence, state security or police workers
  1.  
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.RequiredRelevant government issued identification.NoMay enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport.
  1.  
An active member of the military required to be on duty while in Queensland.RequiredRelevant government issued identification.Quarantine at military base, military property or nominated military hotel or government-nominated accommodation. A person cannot quarantine at a private residence.May enter by road, rail, sea or air.
  1.  
An active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency on active duty in Queensland.RequiredRelevant government issued identification.

A person who has been on COVID-19 related duties in a COVID-19 hotspot must comply with the general 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.

Must enter by air if required to quarantine.

Otherwise may enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport.

  1.  
A Federal, State, Territory or local government elected representative.RequiredRelevant government issued identification.Must comply with general quarantine requirements unless the person is a Queensland resident. A Queensland resident may complete quarantine in their home residence.Must enter by air.
  1.  
Consular officers or consular employees of a consular post of an overseas country.RequiredA Consular Official or Diplomat passport of a foreign country.Quarantine as required by general quarantine requirements with consent.

Must enter by air if quarantining with consent.

Otherwise may enter by road, rail, sea or air.

Emergency health services or emergency services workers
  1.  
A Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a New South Wales Ambulance employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew who is providing emergency medical care or transport to a patient, such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service crew or Careflight.

Required -

except if responding to an emergency in Qld under paragraph 17.

Government or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment.NoMay enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport.
  1.  
A person responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation.RequiredGovernment or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment.NoMay enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport.
  1.  
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.

NoMay enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport.
  1.  
A person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland.RequiredGovernment or employer issued identification or an official letter from an employer confirming employment or volunteer status.NoMay enter by road, sea or air from an approved airport.
Freight or logistics operators
  1.  
A freight or logistics operator, as defined in schedule 3.Must comply with the Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.Must comply with the Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.Must comply with the Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.May enter by road, rail, sea or air. Queensland residents may enter by road, rail, sea or air from an approved airport.
Emergency infrastructure workers
  1.  
An emergency infrastructure worker, as defined in schedule 3.Required

Evidence of the following:

  • name of the person’s employer;

  • statement from the person’s employer confirming the emergency event;

  • letter of endorsement from the relevant Queensland Government agency confirming the emergency event and that the person is an emergency infrastructure worker;

  • details of the place where the person will work, such as the location of the person’s worksite.

The person must travel directly to their work site and remain isolated from the general public and other workers to the extent reasonably practicable until the person departs Queensland or for 14 days, whichever period is shorter.May enter by road, rail or air.
Disaster management workers
  1.  
A disaster management worker, as defined in schedule 3.Must comply with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.Must comply with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.Must comply with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.May enter by road, rail, sea or air.
Specialist or essential workers
  1.  
A specialist or essential worker, as defined in schedule 3.RequiredEvidence of endorsement as a specialist or essential worker by a Queensland Government Agency and information as specified in paragraph 14(f).Must quarantine as required by the quarantine management plan of the person’s employer or business.May enter by road, rail, sea or air.
Air crew or maritime crew
  1.  
A member of an air crew, as defined in schedule 3.Required Must quarantine as required by the general quarantine requirements at accommodation provided by the person’s employer or the air crew’s residence.Must enter by air.
  1.  
A member of a maritime crew, as defined in schedule 3.Must comply with the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.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.Must comply with the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.Must enter in accordance with the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.
Other reasons to enter Queensland under Part 2, paragraph 7
  1.  
Person entering for child contact or shared parenting arrangements under paragraph 7(c).RequiredMust provide evidence of the parenting or child contact arrangement, for example, a parenting plan, court order, legal agreement or statutory declaration.Must comply with general quarantine requirements, unless the person has completed quarantine in another Australian State or Territory and meets the requirements set out in part B of schedule 2.Must enter by air
  1.  
Person entering to attend court or tribunal or to give effect to orders of a court or tribunal under paragraph 7(b).RequiredMust provide evidence of a court order and confirmation from the Court that they are required to attend in person.Quarantine as required by general quarantine requirements, unless the person has completed quarantine in another Australian State or Territory and meets the requirements set out in part B of schedule 2.Must enter by air.
  1.  
Person entering to meet law enforcement obligations under paragraph 7(d).RequiredThe person must be able to provide written evidence from the relevant law enforcement agency that they are required in Queensland.Must comply with the general quarantine requirements, unless the person has completed quarantine in another Australian State or Territory and meets the requirements set out in part B of schedule 2.Must enter by air
  1.  
Person in transit through a Queensland airport under paragraph 7(f).RequiredSupporting information or documents requested by an emergency officer (public health) under paragraph 22.The person must remain in the confines of the airport. A person who leaves the airport must quarantine until the time of their onward flight.Must enter by air.
  1.  
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, entering under paragraph 7(g).RequiredFor higher education students, evidence of enrolment at a Queensland higher education institution.Must comply with the general quarantine requirements, unless the person has completed quarantine in another Australian State or Territory and meets the requirements set out in part B of schedule 2.Must enter by air.
  1.  
Person entering to obtain essential health care, or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care under paragraph 7(h).RequiredEvidence required under the definition of essential health care in schedule 4.Must comply with the health care quarantine requirements in part C of schedule 2.Must enter by air.
  1.  

A passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service

See Part 2, paragraph 7(i).

Not requiredNoneMust comply with the health care quarantine requirements in part C of schedule 2.May enter by road or air.
  1.  
Person granted an exemption by the Chief Health Officer under paragraph 27.RequiredEvidence of the exemption granted by the Chief Health Officer.Must comply with the general quarantine requirements as amended by any conditions of the exemption.Must enter as required by conditions given with the exemption.

Requirements for entry to Queensland under Part 3 – entry from a State or Territory with a COVID-19 hotspot

Item

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
 Person entering Queensland from a State or Territory with a COVID-19 hotspotQueensland Border Declaration PassEntry and evidence requirementsQuarantine requirementsMode of entry
  1.  

Person who has been in an Australian State or Territory with a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days.

See Part 3, paragraph 15.

RequiredQueensland Border Declaration PassNone, unless the person is required to quarantine because of another requirement of this Direction. This may include that the person has been in a COVID-19 hotspot and must quarantine under Part 2 or Part 3 or has been otherwise directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health).Not applicable

Schedule 2 – General quarantine requirements and other quarantine arrangements

Part A – General quarantine requirements

This part of schedule 2 sets out the general quarantine requirements.

  1. The person must:

    1. quarantine in nominated premises and remain in that place for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland; and

    2. travel to the nominated premises by the most direct practical route and means to the place; and

    3. not leave the nominated premises for a 14-day period, except:

      1. to obtain essential medical care or supplies or acting as a support person for a person obtaining essential medical care; or

        Example – a parent and child leaving quarantine for a child to receive essential medical treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital

      2. to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

        Example - escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence

      3. in the event of an emergency situation; or

      4. to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal; or

      5. to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

      6. for air crew, to carry out essential regulatory or safety flight related duties including training or to attend their next work duty; or

        Example: flight simulation training or safety and security training, including training that may be carried out while the person is not on their usual work shift or duty.

      7. to leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping; or

      8. to end quarantine before 14 days if the person declares in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer that in the past 14 days they have not been in an area that is a declared COVID-19 hotspot, provides their contact details and an address where they will be residing in Queensland and obtain a negative COVID-19 test result as required by paragraph (d) below; or

        Example: greater Sydney is removed as a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 December 2020. A person may end quarantine from 1 December 2020, even if the person had been in greater Sydney during the previous 14 days. A person cannot end quarantine if in the past 14 days they have been in an area that is still listed as a COVID-19 hotspot at the time they are seeking to end quarantine.

      9. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and

    4. provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to being able to leave quarantine for any reason other than:

      1. to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

      2. an emergency situation; or

      3. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and

    5. wear a face mask whenever directed to do so by an emergency officer and when leaving quarantine as permitted under paragraph 1(c), unless:

      1. the person is leaving quarantine under paragraph 1(c)(viii); or

      2. it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; and

    6. ensure any travel under paragraphs 1(c)(i)-(vii) and (ix) must be by:

      1. private transport; or

      2. ambulance service; or

      3. transport arranged by a government authority; or

    7. 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; or

      4. enters the nominated premises to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal; or

      5. enters to respond to an emergency situation; or

      6. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and

    8. will be required to submit to COVID-19 testing on the request of 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 or disability needs, may have a carer or support person quarantine at the nominated premises with them at their own expense.

  4. A minor required to quarantine under this Direction, must quarantine in a nominated premises with a parent, guardian or other responsible adult.

Part B – Quarantine completed in another Australian State/Territory

  1. A person permitted to enter Queensland under part 2, is required to quarantine as required by the general quarantine requirements set out in part A of schedule 2 unless the person:

    1. has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine in another Australian 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 Australian State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine was completed; and

      2. written confirmation from the health authority of another Australian 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 face mask; and

      4. an undertaking that the person travelled by the most practicable direct route without stopping from the place of government mandated quarantine to an approved airport to depart the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport; and

    3. any travel under paragraph 5(b)(iv) must be by:

      1. private transport; or

      2. transport arranged by the government authority.

        Note – private transport does not include a bus or shuttle service including an airport shuttle, airport transfer service or regional or inter-city bus service.

  2. A person who is unable to meet all of the requirements in paragraph 5(a), (b) and (c) above must quarantine in accordance with the general quarantine requirements.

  3. A person who satisfies paragraph 5(a), (b)(i), (iii) and (iv) but is unable to meet the requirement in paragraph 5(b)(ii), 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 Australian 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.

Part C – Quarantine requirements when entering for essential health care

  1. A person entering Queensland for essential health care, or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care, must quarantine for the period of time they are required to be present in Queensland. Once care is complete, they 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.

  2. A person entering Queensland for essential health care, or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care must:

    1. for a day admission, procedure or appointment, the person and any support person must minimise contact with the general public, including as follows:

      1. the person and any support person must remain within their vehicle to the extent possible or, subject to any other public health direction, within the confines of the place care is being received and leave Queensland immediately following the treatment or appointment; or

      2. for a support person transporting a person to or from Queensland to receive care, the support person must remain in their vehicle or, subject to any other public health direction, within the confines of the place care is being received until the care is complete, or immediately leave Queensland without stopping after dropping off or picking up the person receiving care in Queensland; or

    2. for a person remaining in Queensland for more than one day must quarantine as follows:

      1. for a person required to stay in Queensland for more than one day who is not admitted into a facility or service, within the confines of the place care is being received or in government-nominated accommodation at their own expense until the time the care is complete, and they leave Queensland; or

      2. for a person admitted at a hospital, facility or service for more than one day, at the place of admission; or

      3. for a support person who needs to remain in Queensland for more than one day, in government-nominated accommodation or, subject to any other public health direction and the hospital or facility’s ability to accommodate, within the confines of the place care is being received.

Schedule 3 – Definitions

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

Air crew means air crew on active duty including:

  1. airline general aviation crew and off-shift crew who are travelling as passengers on an aircraft to reposition at another location to immediately commence duty; or

  2. off-shift crew returning to Queensland after undertaking essential safety or regulatory training; or

  3. aeromedical crew entering Queensland for the purposes of undertaking essential safety or regulatory training or returning to Queensland after undertaking this training in a COVID-19 hotspot.

but excluding international air crew and Queensland-based air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction or its successor.

Note: international air crew and Queensland-based air crew entering Queensland who have been overseas must comply with the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew public health direction or its successor.

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

Approved airport means any airport in Australia.

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Cleared case of COVID-19 means a person who was a confirmed case of COVID-19 and has, in the 14 days before entering Queensland, been given a letter or other written evidence from a doctor or health authority of the jurisdiction where they were diagnosed that they are cleared of COVID-19.

Confines of the airport means the terminal or terminals of an airport used for the arrival and departure of aircraft and passengers by air, or the area of an airport that the person uses to transfer directly between terminals.

Example: a person did not leave the confines of the airport if they stay in a passenger terminal until their next flight or transferred directly between terminals to depart on their flight. However, a person leaves the confines of the airport if they go to a hotel in the airport precinct and stay overnight.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 means a person who has been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 who is not a cleared case of COVID-19.

Contact tracing officer means a person appointed as a contact tracing officer under the Public Health Act 2005.

COVID-19 hotspot means a particular area of Australia decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction).

COVID-19 related duties means a person was on duty in a COVID-19 hotspot in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency performing duties such as supervising quarantine, giving quarantine directions or transporting confirmed cases of COVID-19 or cleared cases of COVID-19 but does not include office-based or remote work such as working in an emergency or disaster coordination centre.

Disaster management has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003.

Disaster operations has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003.

Disaster management worker means a person who is endorsed in accordance with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: The approved protocol applies to certain persons who perform disaster management or disaster operations or who respond to or assist in the recovery from a public safety emergency.

Emergency health services or emergency services worker means:

  1. a Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a New South Wales Ambulance employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew who is providing patient transport or emergency medical care to a patient such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service or CareFlight;

  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, including an employee of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; and

  4. a person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland including rural fire service, state emergency services and firefighters.

Emergency infrastructure worker means a person required to respond to an emergency in a time critical situation that could affect continued network services supply or security in Queensland, or part of Queensland, where the services cannot reasonably practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency, in one of the following areas:

  1. energy generation, transmission or distribution networks; or

  2. drinking water supply, or sewerage services; or

  3. liquid fuel supply; or

  4. resources sector; or

  5. telecommunications, data services, broadcast or communications infrastructure.

    Example – An emergency infrastructure worker includes a person required to provide critical maintenance, overhaul, resupply or repair of energy service infrastructure critical to Queensland and the services cannot practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency.

Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

Note: Emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 include public health officers and police.

Essential activity see paragraph 11.

Essential health care means health care that cannot reasonably be obtained in a person’s State or Territory of residence, or routine clinical care where there is continuity of service provided within an established clinical relationship, that is:

  1. a Queensland Children’s Hospital appointment, confirmed in writing by the hospital; or

  2. an appointment at a Queensland Hospital and Health Service or associated outreach location, confirmed in writing by the service; or

  3. an appointment at a Queensland private health facility or an ancillary clinic or service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

  4. an appointment at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

  5. an appointment with a prescribed health practitioner at another premises, confirmed in writing by the practitioner or provider in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

  6. Note: An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include services provided by a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS Plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service.

    Note: The approved form is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0022/1000498/essential-health-care-form-qld-border.docx.

Face mask means a flat surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield).

Note – a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Freight or logistics operator means any person, other than air crew or maritime crew, who is:

  1. entering Queensland in the course of their employment as:

    1. a heavy vehicle driver; or

    2. rail crew or a rail driver; or

    3. providing passenger transport operations, excluding rideshare operations; or

    4. a non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operator; or

    5. a logistics or support worker; or

      Example – A logistics or support worker includes a specialist mechanic, aircraft or rail engineer providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of commercial freight. A logistics or support worker does not include a person undertaking activities that can be performed remotely, such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting.

    6. any other person essential to the delivery of freight; and

      Example – A person essential to the delivery of freight includes two-up drivers, a pilot or escort for an oversized or overmass vehicle or tow truck driver for heavy vehicle salvage.

  2. providing one of the following services:

    1. transporting freight to, from or through Queensland under a commercial freight operation; or

    2. transporting passengers by road or rail to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation; or

    3. providing logistics or support for the transport which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support.

General quarantine requirements mean the requirements set out in part A of schedule 2.

Government-nominated accommodation means a hotel or other accommodation premises at which the person is directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health).

International arrival means a person who arrives in Queensland on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight or a person who, in the 14 days immediately before their arrival to Queensland:

  1. has been in a place outside Australia, other than a safe travel zone country; or

  2. arrived in Australia by sea; or

  3. arrived in Australia by air on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight, regardless of whether the flight originated from a safe travel zone country; or

  4. has been in a place declared a safe travel zone country hotspot.

but excluding international air-crew and Queensland based air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction or its successors.

International air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction or its successors.

Maritime crew includes anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a vessel, including supernumeraries.

National defence, state security or police worker means:

  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 these purposes;

  2. an active member of the military required to be on duty while in Queensland;

  3. an active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency required to be on duty while in Queensland;

  4. a Federal, State, Territory or local government elected representative who is travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland; and

  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.

    Note: Consular officials and consular employees are granted immunity from jurisdiction in certain circumstances under the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth).

New Queensland resident means a person who is moving to Queensland to make it their principal place of residence and who can provide written evidence that they are relocating to Queensland if required by an emergency officer (public health) and evidence of where they will be residing upon completion of their mandatory quarantine.

Nominated premises means:

  1. government-nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health); or

  2. for air crew, the accommodation provided by the person’s employer for air crew or the air crew’s residence; or

  3. another premises as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

    Note: A person may be required to pay a fee for quarantine under chapter 8, part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005.

Prescribed health practitioner means a person registered to provide the following services:

  1. dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist);

  2. medical;

  3. medical radiation practice;

  4. midwifery;

  5. nursing;

  6. occupational therapy;

  7. optometry;

  8. paramedicine;

  9. pharmacy;

  10. physiotherapy;

  11. podiatry;

  12. psychology;

  13. services as a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS plan.

Private transport means a:

  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 passengers; or

  3. if travel by (a) or (b) is not available, a taxi or ride share sitting in the back seat on the passenger side.

Public safety emergency means:

  1. an emergency in the Public Safety Preservation Act 1986; or

  2. an equivalent emergency that is declared by another State or Territory government or government agency under a law in the other State or Territory.

Quarantine means to quarantine in accordance with the requirements in schedules 1 and 2.

Quarantine-free flight means a flight that only carries passengers who have completed an Australian Travel Declaration at least 72 hours prior to departure declaring details of their health status and that they have been in a safe travel zone country for 14 days or more and have not been in a safe travel zone country hotspot.

Note: Information about quarantine free flights is available from the Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/new-zealand-safe-travel-zone. Determinations about quarantine-free flights are made by the relevant airline.

Quarantine management plan means a plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Queensland-based air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Direction or its successors.

Queensland Border Declaration Pass see paragraphs 15 and 16.

Queensland private health facility means a facility licensed under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999.

Queensland resident is a person whose primary place of residence is in Queensland.

Responsible adult is an adult who has been given written consent by an unaccompanied minor’s parent or legal guardian to complete quarantine in government-nominated accommodation with the minor and who has consented to complete the quarantine with the minor.

Safe travel zone has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction, or its successor.

Safe travel zone country has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction, or its successors.

Safe travel zone country hotspot has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction, or its successors.

Specialist or essential worker means a person providing services in Queensland who has been endorsed by a Queensland Government Agency under paragraph 14.

Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unaccompanied minor is a child who is not in the presence of a responsible adult.

Vessel means a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length. It does not apply to cruise vessels, private vessels, super yachts or recreational vessels.

Last updated: 22 February 2021