LINES of traffic clogged border crossings in the state's north as Queensland threw open its borders to NSW for the first time in months.
However, for residents of Moree the excitement was short lived as they discovered the Moree Plains local government area (LGA) remained a restricted LGA under the Queensland Government's rules.
Despite double vaccinated travellers from across NSW being allowed into Queensland, Moree residents still needed to be travelling for an essential reason, be double vaccinated and have the correct permit.
The Land understands several travellers were turned around at the border, due to a misunderstanding of the Queensland Government's requirements.
Adding to the confusion was the fact smaller towns within the Moree Plains shire such as Tulloona, Garah, Boomi, Mungindi, Toomelah and Boggabilla were permitted into Queensland, meaning only the town of Moree itself remains a restricted LGA.
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A Queensland Health spokesperson said verifying people's eligibility for entering the state was up to the Queensland Police Service.
"There is no current set date when these restrictions will be lifted," the spokesperson said.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely, and any changes to existing arrangements will be communicated to the public."
The opening of borders comes after Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall took to social media to outline the restrictions for the different areas of his electorate, which indicated Moree residents would be allowed into Queensland regardless of the reason.
"A fully vaccinated resident of the Moree Plains Shire may enter Queensland from Monday (December 13) for any purpose," Mr Marshall's post read.
However, Queensland Health's website states "people in the Moree Plains Shire are only allowed into Queensland for limited essential purposes" with the exception of the outlying towns.
Currently, Moree remains the only area of NSW to be classified a restricted LGA by the Queensland Government.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
