Queensland tourism operators blow up about coronavirus travel restrictions as stubborn state premier STILL refuses to open the borders despite warnings of a $500MILLION hit to the economy

  • Tourism operators have joined protest against state's refusal to open its borders
  • Interstate travel slated by federal government to restart nationally in mid-July 
  • Queensland premier said though may be September before state border opened
  • Plans have sparked challenge in High Court arguing they are unconstitutional 
  • On Tuesday three major protests will take place in the state to protest closure
  • One called 'toot for tourism' will drive through the centre of Surfers Paradise 

Tourism operators have joined a protest against Queensland's refusal to open its borders - as businesses plead with the state's premier to set a date for interstate travel. 

Interstate travel is slated to begin again on July 10 as part of the federal government's three-stage timeline, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned her state's border closure could be in place until September at the earliest.

Gold Coast tourism leaders have predicted an economic loss of $500million should borders stay closed for that long.

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Pictured: Border control checks on the Queensland-New South Wales state border on May 21. Businesses in the state have called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to reopen travel to outsiders

Pictured: Border control checks on the Queensland-New South Wales state border on May 21. Businesses in the state have called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to reopen travel to outsiders

The controversial plans have sparked a challenge in the Queensland High Court arguing they are unconstitutional.

On Tuesday morning meanwhile three major protests will take place on the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

The 'toot for tourism' car protest will travel through central Surfers Paradise to demonstrate against the closure of state borders.

Sea World Cruises general manager Anthony Ardern said tour operators simply needed a date so they and their customers can start planning for life after the pandemic.

'We really, really need to just know a date of when we're actually looking at opening,' he told the Today show.

'The stage three plan to reopen still says 10 July, but the premier is coming out still saying September, even later.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said it could be September before borders in the state are reopened

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said it could be September before borders in the state are reopened

'[Not having a date for border re-opening] makes it really hard to actually organise and plan.

'So we just need more time to actually plan what's actually going on so our customers can come and enjoy Queensland.'  

School students, workers and freight drivers can enter the state without an issue, but Queensland is closed to anyone else because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sea World Cruises general manager Anthony Ardern is taking part in the 'toot for tourism' campaign on Tuesday leading tour operators on a car protest through central Surfers Paradise

Sea World Cruises general manager Anthony Ardern is taking part in the 'toot for tourism' campaign on Tuesday leading tour operators on a car protest through central Surfers Paradise

'We are arguing that the Queensland government did not have the constitutional right to shut the border,' Mahoneys litigation partner Mitchell Downes said. 

He said the move was part of a wider effort to help Queensland's tourism industry recover from the effects that COVID-19 had had on the industry and businesses and people that rely on it.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to fund the challenge and allow the plaintiffs to start the case in the High Court 'as soon as possible'.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to fund a challenge to Queensland's state borders in the High Court

A GoFundMe page has been launched to fund a challenge to Queensland's state borders in the High Court

The Australian reported the challenge had been lodged on Monday, with six plaintiffs including a Brisbane travel agency and a Cairns charter operator, plus interstate individuals and a company.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to buckle to pressure to reverse her decision to keep the borders closed during the coronavirus crisis.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also threatened legal action in the High Court if borders aren't reopened.

CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS EASED IN YOUR STATE

The federal government has announced a three-phase plan to ease coronavirus restrictions in the coming months, with the states and territories to determine their own timings.

NEW SOUTH WALES

NSW - What you can do now:

 * Pubs, restaurants and cafes up to 50 people subject to the four-square metre rule, patrons must be seated

* Weddings up to 20 guests and funerals up to 50

* Churches and places of worship up to 50 people

* Beauty salons for 10 people subject to the four square metre rule, magazines removed from waiting areas 

• Museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums and libraries reopen, subject to four square metre rule 

* Travel within the state allowed   

* Outdoor gatherings allowed for a maximum of 10 people 

* Public schools are open but commuter caps remain on Sydney buses, trains and ferries. 

* Playgrounds and outdoor gym equipment use with caution 

 * Beaches open with restrictions including Bondi, Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra, as well as some ocean pools

VICTORIA - what you can do now

* 20 people allowed inside restaurants, cafes, the dining areas of pubs and in the home subject to physical distancing 

• Zoos, galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, outdoor amusement parks, arcades, libraries and community facilities can open for 20 people maximum, subject to four square metre rule 

• Beauty therapy, spas, tattoo studios, massage parlours to reopen for 20 people subject to the four square metre rule

• Market stalls to re-open subject to four square metre and distancing rules

• Drive-in cinemas to reopen 

• Place of worship: up to 20 people

• Weddings up to 20 people not including the celebrant and couple

• Funerals up to 50 people not including staff, subject to four square metre rule

*  Overnight stays in hotels, motels, camping and caravan parks

• Skate parks and playgrounds reopen  

* Schools open June 9 with a staggered return for students starting with students in Prep and Years 1, 2, 11 and 12 on May 26.

* Year 11 and 12 students will sit exams from November 9 to December 2. 

* Indoor and outdoor swimming pools for 20 people with a limit of three people per lane

* Outdoor group sport for 20 people

* AFL begins on June 11 

VICTORIA FROM JUNE 22 

* 50  people allowed inside restaurants, cinemas, concert venues, theatres, cafes and pubs subject to 1.5m distance rule

 * Alpine resorts open to skiers 

• Indoor sports centres and venues up to 20 people subject to the four square metre rule, group activities limited to 10 people

• Gyms reopen with up to 20 people per space, subject to four square metre rule and up to 10 people per group 

• Galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, outdoor amusement parks, zoos and arcades allowed up to 50 visitors

* Up to 100 people to be allowed in enclosed spaces in mid-July

QUEENSLAND

What you can do now: 

* Unlimited travel within the state including overnight stays 

* Indoor gyms reopen and from Friday June 5 can have up to 20 people 

* Restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs can open for up to 20 people. From June 5, large venues can host up to 20 people in each separate area

* Shopping for non-essential items 

* Public school students in grades 2 to 10 have resumed full-time classes with no commuter caps on public transport  

• Some beauty therapies including nail salons for up to 10 people 

• Libraries, playgrounds, skate parks, outdoor gyms, open homes and auctions open for up to 10 people

• Weddings up to 10 people

• Funerals up to 20 people indoors, 30 outdoors 

• Public pools and lagoons up to 10 people and with an approved plan for more than 10 people

• Non-contact sport for up to 10 people 

Queensland - what you can do from June 12: 

* Subject to the four square metre rule and social distancing, up to 20 people will be allowed to gather indoors and outdoors 

* Museums, art galleries, libraries, historic sites, outdoor amusement parks, zoos, arcades, concert venues, theatres, arenas and stadiums up to 20 people 

* Non-contact indoor and outdoor community sport, personal training sessions, parks, gyms, health clubs, skate parks and yoga studies can all have up to 20 people 

* Weddings, places of worship and religious ceremonies up to 20 people

* Hiking, camping and other recreational activities 

* Open homes and auctions up to 20 people

* State borders remain closed  

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 

What you can do now 

 * Stage two easing of restrictions began June 1 allowing more customers to be served and cinemas to reopen

* Large venues can host up to 80 people in groups of 20 provided they can keep the groups in discrete rooms within the business 

* Pubs allowed to serve drinks without a meal but customer must be seated 

* Gyms, indoor fitness centres, cinemas, galleries, museums and theatres can open with a maximum of 20 people

 • Beauty salons, tattoo and massage parlours can re-open subject to four square metre rule

 * Funerals of up to 20 people indoors and 30 people outdoors plus those officiating

* Parks, playgrounds and national parks are open with hotels, camp sites and caravan parks open subject to the four square metre rule 

* Driving lessons allowed, subject to social distancing

* Students are already back in school full time

* Non-contact sport can resume but contact sports must wait till June 25 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

What you can do now: Phase Two (began May 18) 

* Cafes, restaurants and meal service inside pubs, bars, clubs, can serve up to 20 customers

* Indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people

* Weddings and funerals of up to 20 guests indoors or 30 outdoors 

* Students are already back in school full time.

* Fitness classes, pools, non-contact sport allowed up to 20 people

* Churches, religious houses, libraries and community centres up to 20 people

WA - What you can do coming soon: 

* June 6: four square metre rule relaxed to two square metres for both indoor and outdoor venues 

* Gyms and real estate auctions resume, beauty salons, arcades, galleries, museums, cinemas, zoos, food courts, playgrounds and wildlife and amusement parks to open. 

*  Public gathering limits raised to 100, including for cafes, pubs and restaurants. Venues with divided spaces can have up to 300  

* WA to reopen almost all intrastate borders on Friday June 5 except for the Kimberley, parts of the East Pilbara and the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku to protect vulnerable indigenous communities 

* Further easing of restrictions expected on June 8

* State border remains closed

TASMANIA

What you can do now: 

* Restaurants, cafes, food service inside pubs, clubs and RSL: up to 10 people

* Aged care home residents can now have two visitors once a day

* Funerals up to 20 people indoors, 30 outdoors

* Visitors to your home: up to 5 people

*  Libraries and government centres: up to 10 people

* Kindergarten to Year Six students and Years 11 and 12 are back in school with the remainder to return on June 9 

* TAFE and training centres open to small groups of students for practical learning and assessment

* Parks, playgrounds, pools and outdoor fitness equipment opened for up to 10 people. National parks open only those who live less than 30km away 

Tasmania - what you can do from June 15: Stage Two  

* Up to 20 people can gather indoors and outdoors including in restaurants, cinemas and museums

• Beauty parlours, tanning salons, tattoo studios can open 

• Gyms and bootcamps for up to 20 people

• Funerals of up to 50 people

• Open homes and auctions with up to 20 people

* Parks and outdoor fitness equipment for up to 20 people  

• Outdoor community sports for up to 20 people

• Indoor sports including pools  for up to 20 people but no spectators

• Intrastate travel restrictions lifted, hotels and caravan parks open, camping allowed

* State border remains closed

 What you can do in Tasmania from July 13: Stage Three

 * Aged care residents can have up to five visitors, multiple times each week

* Gatherings of between 50 and 100 people 

• Bars, nightclubs, casinos and gaming to open

• Markets and food courts to open

• State border remains closed

NORTHERN TERRITORY

What you can do now: 

* The NT has relaxed restrictions on parks, golf, fishing and swimming.

* Indoor activities are allowed with a two-hour limit 

* Restaurants and bars can reopen to serve food with a two-hour limit, with entertainment venues to come.

* National parks are open for camping and swimming 

• Beauty salons, gyms, libraries and places of religious worship open 

 * Gatherings up to 10 people subject to social distancing  

• Shopping centre food courts can serve food

• Non-contact sports with indoor activities under a two-hour time limit

• Art galleries, museums, public memorials, public historic sites, zoos and wildlife facilities are open.

* Restricted access to indigenous communities remain in place until at least June 5

* Students are back at school full time

* Territory borders remain closed

NT - what you can do from midday, June 5:  

• The two-hour limit on indoor activities is removed

• Bars and clubs will be allowed to operate without food being compulsory,

• Cinemas and entertainment venues can open

• Team sports such as football and netball allowed 

• Sporting arenas and stadiums can open with seating in an approved configuration 

• All licensed gaming activities including TAB open

* Travel to restricted indigenous communities is possible after June 5 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

What you can do now 

* Visit NSW for a holiday

* Large clubs allowed more than 150 people, with a limit of 20 in each room

* Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people allowed. Restrictions on sport and recreation eased

* Weddings and funerals have a 20 guest limit inside, and 30 outside 

* Choirs, bands and orchestras can resume practice and national institutions can open to 20 people at a time

* Students in Years 3, 4 and 10 back in classrooms

* School Years 5, 6, 8 and 9 to return on June 2   

STILL OPEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY

* Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, public transport, most state schools, hairdressers, petrol stations, postal and freight services, bottle shops, newsagents, retail shops

 Source: AAP, wires. Correct as of 1 June 2020,

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Queensland tourism operators blow up about coronavirus travel restrictions

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