Queensland SHUTS its borders to Sydneysiders as the city is declared a Covid hot spot - and locals have until 1am Tuesday to get back to the Sunshine State
Queensland will shut its borders to Greater Sydney residents from 1am on Monday.
Locals returning to the Sunshine State will be allowed to enter until 1am on Tuesday but must isolate at home.
After that everyone who has been in Greater Sydney will be forced into self-paid hotel quarantine when entering Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the changes after New South Wales recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus.
'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: Testing at Bondi
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the changes after New South Wales recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus
'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.'
Queensland has not had a local case of coronavirus for 21 days - but sewage samples have recently tested positive in North Cairns, Townsville, Cleveland and the Gold Coast, prompting fears the virus is already spreading around the state.
A total of 28 cases reported on Sunday are 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, meaning there is no evidence the virus has spread outside the area.
Despite the encouraging news Premier Gladys Berejiklian has tightened restrictions for Greater Sydney amid fears the virus is spreading around the city undetected.
From 11.59pm on Sunday until 11.59pm on Wednesday all Greater Sydney residents will be allowed a maximum of 10 people in their homes.
There are also new restrictions for venues including a 300 person cap, a one person per four square metre rule and a ban on singing and dancing. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said singing and dancing were 'one of the most dangerous exercises you can do'.
Queensland's border rules are similar to those imposed in Victoria.
Victoria has effectively banned all residents from Greater Sydney and the Central Coast from entering the state from 11.59pm on Sunday.
Victorians returning home will be given an extra 24 hours to get back and will be let in until 11.59pm on Monday.
If they return on Monday they will be asked to get a test and self-isolate at home.
Anyone flying in on Tuesday will be forced into mandatory hotel quarantine and anyone driving will be turned around.
Victoria has banned all residents from Greater Sydney and the Central Coast from entering the state from 11.59pm on Sunday (pictured, passengers at Sydney domestic airport on Friday)