From 11 October 2021, 1,000 returning Queenslanders will be given an opportunity to return to the state and trial the new home quarantine model.
Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said the Queensland Government is providing even more Queensland residents an opportunity to come home from a COVID-19 hotspot, without the need to quarantine in government arranged accommodation.
“We are so excited for this trial of home quarantine to commence in Queensland where we will see up to 1,000 returning Queenslanders offered an opportunity to participate,” Minister D’Ath said.
“On 11 October, Queensland residents currently located in a COVID-19 hotspot, who have already applied to return home, will be invited to trial this new model.
“Those who have already applied to return to Queensland will be contacted by the Government to ascertain their eligibility to participate.”
Minister D’Ath said that it is important those trialling this program take this opportunity seriously.
“We ask that those Queenslanders taking part in the trial take the requirements of quarantining at home very seriously, to give the trial the best chance of success and possible future expansion,” she said.
“Participants will need to nominate their quarantine address, which must be located within one of the eight Local Government Areas.
“These Local Government Areas have been chosen because they are within safe driving distance of the port of arrival, in this case being Brisbane Airport.
“Where a returning Queensland resident has nominated a private residence to complete the home quarantine trial, any other people who normally reside at the same location, and who will remain there during the quarantine period, will also need to quarantine.
“As all Queenslanders would want, strict criteria must be met by the person taking part in the home quarantine trial.” The eight Local Government areas where the home quarantine trial will be conducted are Brisbane (excluding Moreton Island), Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast, Redland (excluding the islands of the Redland LGA)
To protect everyone, returning Queenslanders taking part in the trial must be:
- Be fully vaccinated (with at least two weeks having passed since receiving their second dose)
- Have returned a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry
- Use the home-quarantine check-in system
- Quarantine at home for 14 days
- Subject themselves to tests on days one, five and 12
- Have a suitable home with a direct entry, and
- Arrive by air.
