Queensland border restrictions do not apply to those seeking emergency health care or those accompanying someone seeking it.
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That's the word from Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles.
Australian Community Media readers have expressed concerns for elderly or seriously ill relatives who are in poor health and live in border towns.
Mr Miles' message to them is care flight helicopters, flights or ambulances with emergency patients from border towns of NSW are not restricted from entering QLD.
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Federal Emergency Management minister David Littleproud also sought to assure Leader readers exemptions are in place for people requiring emergency treatment.
"I understand that there are exemptions in place across all jurisdictions for people requiring emergency treatment," he said.
"I encourage border residents to stay informed on the broader exemptions for healthcare by visiting the relevant state health department's website.
"As a regional MP however I will keep asking states to have borders reopen as much as possible to help people who live in COVID-free regional areas to get on with their lives, whilst also making sure we don't spread COVID out of identified hotspots."
A Queensland Health spokesperson said Queensland would never deny essential, emergency health care to those who need it.
"Our current border restrictions are in place for one purpose - to save lives," the spokesperson said.
"No exemptions are required for people from hotspots needing to enter Queensland for emergency or essential health care.
"There is no requirement for supporting information for emergencies.
"Lifeflight helicopters, RFDS planes and QAS or NSW Ambulances are able to travel across the border at any time."
FULL STATEMENT FROM QLD HEALTH
Queensland's current border restrictions are in place for one purpose - to save lives. We never deny essential, emergency health care to those who need it.
No exemptions are required for people from hotspots needing to enter Queensland for emergency or essential health care.
There is no requirement for supporting information for emergencies.
Lifeflight helicopters, RFDS planes and QAS or NSW Ambulances are able to travel across the border at any time.
Only a border pass and a letter of appointment from the treating clinician, health facility or health service is needed when entering Queensland for essential healthcare.
New South Wales border zone residents can cross the border to receive medical treatment within the border zone without needing to quarantine. For example, NSW border zone residents who usually receive treatment at the John Flynn hospital can continue to receive this treatment.
However, patients and their support person from hotspots outside the border zone must quarantine in a government-arranged hotel at their own expense, unless they are quarantining at the hospital.
They only need to quarantine for the duration of their treatment in Queensland. They can leave the state immediately after their treatment, whether it takes two hours or 14 days.
Patients and their support person can leave quarantine to receive their treatment but they must go directly to receive treatment without stopping and must return straight back to their accommodation after receiving treatment or care.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
