On Monday 27 July, Border Restrictions Direction (No 9) came into effect.
All people entering Queensland must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass to cross the border, including returning Queenslanders. This will include agreeing to get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Queensland.
Any recreational boaties can enter Queensland unless they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. Currently, certain parts of NSW and the whole State of Victoria is considered a hotspot.
Non Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days will no longer be able to quarantine in Queensland and will be turned around at the border, except for people needed in Queensland for essential purposes.
Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government provided accommodation within Queensland at their expense. You cannot quarantine on your vessel.
If, in the last 14 days, you have travelled from anywhere in Victoria, NSW hotspot areas, or overseas, or you have been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you will be required to quarantine in a Queensland Government designated hotel, at your own expense, for a period of 14 days.
Further information is available on the Queensland Health website.
Superyachts
The Queensland Government is still welcoming superyachts to Queensland shores. MSQ recognises the valuable contribution the superyacht industry makes to Queensland’s economy.
Superyachts arriving from overseas are required to quarantine for 14 days upon point of entry into Queensland. Time at sea does not automatically count towards quarantine time.
However, owners/operators may apply for an exemption to Queensland’s Chief Health Officer to:
- be exempt from quarantine, where at least 14 days has been spent at sea since last international port; or
- serve quarantine of any remaining balance of 14 days onboard the vessel upon arrival, where less than 14 days has been spent at sea since last international port,
Any request for exemption must include sufficient information to support the request, which may include (but is not limited to):
- Proof of last international port (both location and departure date)
- Evidence that no person has boarded or disembarked the vessel since last international port
- Show that social distancing and good hygiene have been/can continue to be maintained.
- Prove that risk of COVID-19 transmission can be effectively mitigated (e.g. COVID-19 Safe Plan)
- If applying to quarantine on board the vessel:
- Evidence that nobody onboard will disembark or onboard the vessel during quarantine (e.g. sufficient provisions on board to support quarantine period)
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer will consider superyacht quarantine exemption applications on a case by case basis. MSQ encourages superyacht owners/operators to apply for an exemption well in advance of arrival in Queensland, to ensure enough time for any exemption request to be considered.
