Superseded - Self-quarantine for persons arriving in Queensland from overseas Direction (No. 2)

This direction has been superseded by the Requirements for International Arrivals Direction

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 19 May 2020 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 directions 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.

Preamble

  1. This Public Health Direction replaces the Public Health Direction referred to as the Self-quarantine for persons arriving in Queensland from overseas Direction made on 28 March 2020.

Citation

  1. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Self-quarantine for persons arriving in Queensland from overseas Direction (No. 2).

Revocation

  1. The Self-quarantine for persons arriving in Queensland from overseas Direction made on 28 March 2020 is revoked from the time of publication of this direction.

PART 1 — Self-quarantine for persons returning from overseas

  1. The purpose of this Part is to require persons who arrive in Queensland from overseas to self-quarantine in nominated premises for 14 days in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  2. This direction applies from the time it is published until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced.
  3. Except in those circumstances identified in paragraphs 7 to 10 below, a person who arrives in Queensland from overseas, whether Queensland is the person’s final destination or not, and after completing immigration, customs and any other requirements:
    1. must travel directly, in the manner instructed by a relevant authority, from their port of disembarkation to a nominated premises and reside in the nominated premises for 14 days;
    2. must not leave the nominated premises for the 14-day period, except:
      1. for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care or medical supplies; or
      2. to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or
        Example – escaping a risk of harm related to domestic and family violence
      3. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by a relevant authority; and
    3. must not permit any other person to enter the nominated premises unless that other person:
      1. resides in the nominated premises for the purpose of complying with this direction; or
      2. enters the nominated premises to provide emergency or medical care to a person residing in the nominated premises; or
      3. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by a relevant authority.

People who may quarantine outside nominated premises

  1. Airline and maritime crew who arrive in Queensland from overseas must self-quarantine in their accommodation until:
    1. their next work voyage; or
    2. 14 days have passed from their date of arrival in Queensland, whichever is shorter.
  2. Unaccompanied minors who arrive in Queensland from overseas can, from their point of arrival in Australia, be accompanied by a parent or guardian to a nominated premises or place of residence to self-quarantine with that parent or guardian.
  3. Consular employees as defined in the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth) who arrive in Queensland from overseas must travel directly to their residence and self-quarantine.
  4. People unable to live independently without ongoing or regular support due to significant health needs, and their carers, who arrive in Queensland from overseas must travel directly to their residence and self-quarantine.
  5. For paragraphs 7 to 10 a person must not leave the nominated premises for the 14-day period, except:
    1. for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care or medical supplies; or
    2. to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or
      Example – escaping a risk of harm related to domestic and family violence
    3. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by a relevant authority.
  6. For paragraphs 7 to 10 a person must not permit any other person to enter their accommodation or residence unless that other person:
    1. resides in the accommodation or residence for the purpose of complying with this direction; or
    2. enters the accommodation or residence to provide emergency or medical care to a person residing in the nominated premises; or
    3. otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by a relevant authority.
  7. The Chief Health Officer may grant a person an exemption from all or part of these directions on the basis of exceptional circumstances.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

  1. Nominated premises means a hotel, other place of accommodation, or other place nominated by the Chief Health Officer or a relevant authority.
  2. Relevant authority means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.
  3. Residence means premises used, or intended to be used, as a dwelling or mainly as a dwelling, and includes the land on which the residence is situated, and includes:
    1. a single detached dwelling;
    2. each of one or more attached dwellings that are separated by a common wall;
      Examples for paragraph (b) — villa unit, townhouse, terrace house, row house, unit in an apartment block.
    3. a manufactured home as defined in section 10 of the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003;
    4. a caravan as defined in section 7 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008;
    5. any other building or structure situated on the same land as the premises or dwelling.
      Examples for paragraph (e) –pool house, granny flat.
    but does not include an aged care residential facility, corrective services facility or detention centre.
  4. Maritime crew does not include cruise ship crew and employees.

PART 2 — 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.

Dr Jeannette Young
Chief Health Officer

7 April 2020

Published on the Queensland Health website at 7 April 2020 08:15pm

Last updated: 1 May 2020