Borders reopening in time for Christmas
Queensland borders are expected to reopen to interstate travellers in time for Christmas.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state is expected to reach the milestone of 70 percent of eligible people fully vaccinated on November 17, but if we hit the mark earlier she will ease restrictions earlier.
From November 17, people from a declared domestic hotspot who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to arrive by air provided they return a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival.
They will be allowed to home quarantine for 14 days.
From December 17, when the state is expected to hit 80 percent of eligible people vaccinated, fully vaccinated interstate travellers will be allowed to arrive by road or air as long as they have tested negative to COVID within 72 hours of arrival.
They will not be required to quarantine.
"December 17 is locked in...we have to reunite families," Ms Palaszczuk says.
However she did not rule out lockdowns in future in areas of outbreak.
Call to arms
Ms Palaszczuk says it's critical people who have not been vaccinated do so urgently.
"There is going to be the risk of a Delta outbreak and we need to be prepared."
She says education minister Grace Grace is working on a plan to have students aged 12 and over vaccinated at schools, within school hours, in a bid to boost the vaccination rate.
Deputy Premier and member for Murrumba Steven Miles says there are reasons other than opening the borders to vaccinate.
"There will be some venues that choose to be vaccinated only, and if you want to continue to go to those venues (from December 17) you will need to get vaccinated now," he says.
Health Minister and member for Redcliffe Yvette D'Ath says young people have a key role to play in helping the state meet its targets.
"Over 584,000 people aged 20-39 are unvaccinated," she says.
"If those people come out this week, we can open up Queensland to Australia - it's in your hands."