New Covid-19 outbreak could already have entered Queensland - with sewage testing picking up traces of the infection in tourist hotspots

Queensland health authorities fear the latest Covid-19 outbreak from Sydney could have already been carried into the Sunshine State's top tourist destinations. 

New sewage sample testing showed COVID particles across Gold Coast, Townsville, North Cairns and the Brisbane suburb of Cleveland, putting the state's health authorities on high alert. 

There are at least 15 close contacts of the new Sydney cluster in Queensland.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young urged people to get tested, citing fears the virus has entered the state - which hasn't had any community transmission for 21 days.

Health authorities are concerned that cases from COVID-rattled Sydney have spread to famous Queensland tourist destinations (pictured, Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young)

 Sewage sample testing showed COVID particles across Gold Coast, Townsville, North Cairns and Cleveland, putting health authorities on high alert (pictured, Little Crystal Creek in Townsville)

There are also 15 close contacts of the Avalon, Northern Beaches, cluster who have already been identified in Queensland (pictured, empty Sydney CBD as residents urged to stay at home)

'I'm concerned that there are people from Sydney, or the Northern Beaches, who have gone up to those areas in the north, or down to the Gold Coast, and I need them to come forward and get tested,' Dr Young said on Sunday, The Australian reported.

Queensland shut its borders to Greater Sydney residents at 1am on Monday.

Locals returning to the Sunshine State who arrive before 1am on Tuesday can isolate at home, but those arriving after that will be forced into a quarantine hotel.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the changes after New South Wales recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday.

'If you are from Greater Sydney, now is not the time to travel to Queensland,' she said.

Queensland will shut its borders to Greater Sydney residents from 1am on Monday (pictured, people at Sydney airport)

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young urged people to get tested (pictured, Sydney testing clinic on Sunday)

A total of 28 cases reported on Sunday are linked to a cluster on Sydney's Northern Beaches (pictured, deserted CBD)

'We love you, we want you to have a peaceful Christmas at home and, hopefully, in the months to come we will be able to welcome you back to our wonderful Sunshine State. But now is not the time.' 

A total of 28 new cases were reported on Sunday, linked to a cluster on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Two cases under investigation are Northern Beaches residents who are believed to be linked to the mystery cluster that now has 68 patients. 

There are ears popular Queensland tourist destinations (such as Castle Hill, pictured) have been exposed to COVID-19