THE state's border communities have been given an early Christmas present with news Queensland's hard border will fall next Monday.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Queensland borders will re-open to domestic hotspots from 1am on December 13, rather than December 17 as first thought.
The Premier said nominating a time and a date provides certainty for everyone.
"Nominating a time and date provides travellers and business with certainty to make their plans and comes four days early."
From December 13 travelers from interstate hotspots can arrive by road or air and not quarantine so long as they are fully vaccinated and provide a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours.
International arrivals must be fully vaccinated and return a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure. They will be required to get a test on arrival and must home or hotel quarantine for 14 days.
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Travellers no longer have to wait two weeks to be considered fully vaccinated. One is enough and all travellers from hotspots must get a test on day five after their arrival.
The mandate on who can enter venues remains unchanged. It takes effect on December 17.
Vaccinated border zone residents will be able to move freely across the border without the need for a PCR test.
Border passes will be required and they will be valid for 14 days but unvaccinated residents will be restricted to travel for the limited reasons that exist now.
Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said it was a matter of when, not if, the virus began circulating more widely in Queensland.
"We know COVID is coming, we know cases numbers will rise, but we can be as protected as possible by being fully vaccinated," she said.
"Please make it a priority to protect yourself. The vaccine is safe, effective and free."
Minister D'Ath said from December 17 only fully vaccinated people will be permitted to enter pubs, clubs, cinemas, festivals and theme parks and visit vulnerable settings such as hospitals and aged care accommodation.
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