Long queues of travellers as Queensland borders reopen to every state but Victoria – ABC News

Authorities were expecting a stampede, and haven’t been disappointed.
Key points:

• Motorists have been warned to expect queues of up to 20 kilometres and wait times of several hours
• Tourism industry councils say the reopening of borders signals the state’s reactivation and recovery
• Tourism operators are bracing as interstate travellers flood popular holiday destinations

Long queues formed at multiple border crossings into Queensland today as the state officially reopened to interstate visitors after 15 weeks of self-imposed quarantine.
From midday, Queensland began welcoming travellers from all states and territories, except Victoria, and those who had visited the Garden State in the past fortnight.
Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said there was heavy congestion at Queensland’s road borders, particularly around Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.
“The M1 at the moment is backed up past the Tugun tunnel … it’s moving along OK, it’s about a 35-minute wait,” Mr Wheeler said.
“The Gold Coast Highway is backed up almost to the M1, people on that road can expect a delay of at least half an hour.
“We anticipate that traffic will continue to move slowly for the afternoon, we ask people to be patient.
“If you don’t need to come into Queensland this afternoon, please don’t, look at another day or perhaps late at night or early in the morning.”
Police check vehicles at the Coolangatta border checkpoint on the Gold Coast.(AAP: Albert Perez)
NSW police yesterday warned motorists to expect queues up to 20 kilometres and wait times of several hours at the border.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has been stationed on the Gold Coast border where she said some people had tried to get through before midday, but were stopped.
“Seven hundred

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