Queensland records one new Covid case as 'no jab, no entry' rules for essential workers at border cause a backlash
- Queensland insists essential workers from NSW have one dose of vaccine
- The new rules come into effect this Friday after being announced yesterday
- Many people online reacted negatively to the mandatory direction
- 'It is inconvenient but... necessary to keep Queenslanders safe,' the Premier said
Backlash has started at Queensland's new 'no jab, no entry' policy for essential workers at the NSW border, as the state recorded one new community case on Tuesday.
One other case was discovered in hotel quarantine.
Queensland Premier Annstacia Palaszczuk announced more police would be sent to the Queensland-NSW border today to enforce compliance with border restrictions.
From this Friday, essential staff who live in NSW but work in Queensland will be turned around unless they can show they've had had at least one dose of a vaccine.
'There has been some confusion, where a nurse thought she had to have two vaccinations,' Ms Palaszczuk said at Tuesday's update.
'You have to have one, your first dose.
'Covid is creeping north, this is our last line of defence.'
Police check vehicles at the Tweed Heads-Coolanagatta border between NSW and Queensland yesterday
A man argues with authorities after being stopped
The new requirement was announced at yesterday's Covid update in Brisbane, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said detection of Covid fragments in sewage as far north as Ballina and Lennox Head in NSW meant Queensland would introduce stricter border rules.
'So its not mandatory to be vaccinated for Covid, it's a personal choice, but the government's is now making it mandatory to move, live, travel anywhere if you are not vaccinated,' one person posted on social media in response to the new directions.
'I know it’s every individual’s own choice to have the vaccine or not but I don’t think it’s Australian to force people to have the vaccine!' wrote another.
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Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the Friday deadline shouldn't affect too many people because shots have been offered to the likes of health workers and emergency services staff since February.
Those yet to have a first shot will get priority access at vaccination centres.
This week, Queensland Police have been stopping and checking every vehicle that attempts to enter Queensland.
'Police are stopping everyone coming in from our southern states at our airports, and stopping everyone coming in on the roads,' Ms Palaszczuk said yesterday.
'These measures are strict and we will be enforcing them.
'It is inconvenient but this is necessary to keep Queenslanders safe.'
Almost 137,000 extra Pfizer doses secured by the federal government are being sent to Logan, south of Brisbane, and Caboolture, north of Brisbane, where vaccination rates are lower than in other parts of the southeast corner.
Authorities are also sending extra doses to Queensland's border towns.
People line up to enter the mass vaccination hub at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in Brisbane
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk did not detail how Queensland would deal with Covid once the state reached 80 percent vaccination of over-16s when asked by reporters on Monday
Tuesday's Covid update in Queensland included an announcement that the Ekka public holiday would be moved to Friday, October 29
Ms Palaszczuk refused on Monday to tell reporters how she would deal with Covid-19 once Queensland reached Australia's target of vaccinating 80 per cent of its over-16 population.
She repeatedly declined to answer when asked if she would pursue a containment approach, or let the virus run once that target was met.
'I can't predict the future,' she said. 'We're going to be nowhere near 80 per cent until November/December. This is a long way off unless we have the supply.'
Tuesday's update included an announcement that the Ekka public holiday in Queensland would be moved to Friday, October 29, after the popular agricultural show was cancelled due to the state's most recent lockdown.
Ms Palaszczuk also said hosting the NRL Grand Final in Brisbane would be 'history'.
Suncorp Stadium is firming as the location for the decider after the NRL confirmed the rest of the season would be played in Queensland because of the ongoing lockdown in NSW.
