Annastacia Palaszczuk warns Sydney could be declared a coronavirus hot spot paving the way to ban millions of Australians from Queensland yet again - as she brings in new rules for visitors
Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned Sydney could soon be declared a coronavirus hot spot, as she moved to protect Queensland's vulnerable residents.
A desperate search is underway to find the source of Sydney's worrying coronavirus outbreak after a 17th new case was recorded on Thursday afternoon.
More than 250,000 residents from the Spit Bridge up to Palm Beach have been ordered to isolate immediately amid fears of a Victoria-style outbreak.
The growing outbreak has put the Queensland premier and health authorities on high alert less than three weeks after she reopened the state's border to Greater Sydney residents for the first time since August.
Queensland health officials are on high alert after a growing coronavirus outbreak on Sydney's northern beaches. Pictured are residents lining up to get tested at the Avalon Community Centre pop up health clinic in Sydney on Thursday
'To protect vulnerable Queenslanders, anyone who has been in the Northern Beaches region in NSW since December 11 will not be able to visit Queensland residential aged care centres, hospitals or correctional facilities,' Ms Palaszczuk tweeted on Thursday.
'Queenslanders who have travel plans to visit greater Sydney, in particular the Northern Beaches region, should consider the risk of those areas becoming a hot spot.'
The Queensland and New South Wales borders remain open for now.
But Christmas travel plans for thousands of families could be thrown into disarray if NSW contact tracers can't identify the source of the outbreak.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that anyone who have been in Sydney northern's beaches since December 11 is banned from visiting aged care centres, hospitals or correctional facilities in her state
Residents on Sydney's northern beaches have been ordered to stay at home after after a 17th new case was reported on Thursday. Pictured is a health care worker proving hand sanitiser to a resident
'We are closely monitoring the latest COVID-19 cases in NSW,' a Queensland Health statement read.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the next 24 hours will be critical in suppressing the risk of the outbreak from spreading.
'It's vital that anyone who has been in the Northern Beaches region follows the health advice issued by NSW,' Dr Young said.
'I am also asking anyone that has been in the Northern Beaches region since December 11 to monitor their health and immediately get tested if they develop any symptoms.
'And anyone who has travel plans to visit greater Sydney, in particular the Northern Beaches region, should consider the risk of those areas becoming a hotspot.'
Residents in NSW and Victoria have not been welcome in Queensland for most of 2020 - with the borders now at risk of being shut again (pictured, a Santa Claus at Brisbane Airport on December 16)
Dr Young is expected to give an updated response on restrictions late on Friday morning.
Active Queensland Premier Steven Miles urged anyone in Queensland planning to head to Sydney for Christmas to take caution over the next 24 hours.
'Because over that period of time, the chief health officer will need to consider whether other steps need to be in place,' he told reporters.
'If NSW is able to contain this very quickly, then we hope there is no further action necessary.'
An outbreak in Sydney northern beaches could ruin the Christmas travel plans for thousands of NSW and Queensland residents hoping to reunite with loved ones interstate. Pictured are residents living up to get tested in Avalon, Sydney on Thursday
Sydney was first put on high alert on Wednesday when a 45-year-old man who transports flight crew from the airport tested positive to COVID-19.
The outbreak had soared to 17 by late Thursday afternoon, sparking strict new rules for anyone from NSW flying into Western Australia.
'Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived from NSW since December 11 or was in NSW from 11 Dec and subsequently arrived in WA needs to: self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible; present for a COVID-19 test in the next 24 hours,' Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said.