More Victorians will be able to safely return home from Queensland this weekend with updated health advice allowing for additional easing of border restrictions with the Sunshine State.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced today that, due to the reduced exposure risk and low community transmission in Brisbane, QLD red zone Local Government Areas (LGAs) would transition to orange, allowing Victorians in those areas to return home.
“We know this has been a difficult time for Victorians whose lives have disrupted by border closures – but we have to follow the health advice and keep each other safe from this deadly disease,” said Premier Dan Andrews.
“We’re monitoring the situation every single day and we will not keep zones red for a moment longer then needed.
“We’ll continue to review Greater Sydney and will hopefully have more to say soon.”
As of 6pm tonight, the Greater Brisbane LGAs of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Redland, Logan, and Ipswich will be declared an orange zone.
The updated orange zone listing overrides the previous classification as a red zone and applies to the last 14 days. This means anyone who has been or is currently in Greater Brisbane wanting to travel to Victoria can apply for a permit from 6:00pm on Saturday, 16 January.
Travel from an orange zone requires people to self-isolate, get tested within 72 hours of arrival and remain in isolation until you receive a negative result.
Travellers must also confirm they have not been in a currently listed red zone within the past 14 days, have not been in close contact with a coronavirus (COVID-19) case and do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.
The Premier said exemption applications from the LGAs of Greater Brisbane would no longer be required.
“People will only need to apply for an Orange Zone Permit via the Services Victoria website at service.vic.gov.au,” he said.
“However, if Victorians have been in a Sydney red zone they will still need to make an exemption application, if people have already made an application they will not have to apply again.”
Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton said Victorians had been “incredible” in getting tested and the Government continued to urge everyone – if they have symptoms at all – to get tested and stay home until you get your result.
“I’m sure this will be welcome news for many Victorians wanting to return home however, we urge everyone to get tested within that 72 hour timeframe when they arrive home, and isolate until they have their result,” said Professor Sutton.
