'Historic moment': Queensland border checkpoints torn down after two years - 9News

Checkpoints on the Queensland border have been torn down overnight allowing free interstate travel for the first time in almost two years.

The border checkpoints blocking Queensland from the rest of Australia have been torn down. (9News)

Crews worked from 1am this morning to dismantle the checkpoints. (9News)

Anyone coming into Queensland, either by road or by air domestically, no longer needs to show a border pass or a rapid antigen test.

However, the government will maintain a mandate requiring people to be fully vaccinated to be able to enter events and venues.

Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman was at the checkpoint as it was torn down overnight and said this is "an incredible outcome".

Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman dubbed the removal of the checkpoints an historic moment. (9News)

"This is a fantastic outcome for us, obviously after 22 months of our staff operating these border checkpoints," he said,

"Tonight is actually a very historic moment for us, to start unfolding and unpacking everything."

Roads will now be fully open for travellers to enter the state, without any checkpoints remaining.

As of midnight (1am AEDT), the Sunshine State is re-open, without any restrictions for domestic travellers entering the state, either by road or by air. They will no longer need to show a border pass or a rapid antigen test (Supplied)

While domestic rules change, international travel restrictions will remain in place until Queensland hits a 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate.

Currently the state is sitting on 88.5 per cent double jabbed, while 91.5 per cent has had a first dose of the vaccine.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned Friday the situation could still change in the weeks or months ahead for Queenslanders when she was asked what will happen to the Toowoomba Wellcamp quarantine facility once the state reaches 90 per cent fully vaccinated.

"Don't forget we still have people who fly in who are not vaccinated, we don't know what variant is around the corner," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Now anyone coming into Queensland, either by road or by air domestically, will no longer need to show a border pass or a rapid antigen test (9News)

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the border changes will shift the state's focus "to where people are going" and not where they are coming from.

While Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said the border restrictions had "done their job".

He said their purpose had been to ensure every Queenslander had time to get vaccinated. "It's time for them to come down," he said.

News that Queensland would finally drop its domestic border restrictions after almost two years was made by Ms Palaszczuk on Thursday.

News that Queensland would finally drop its domestic border restrictions after almost two years was made by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday (Nine)

It came much to the delight of residents and their families interstate but also to the Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Ms Carroll said she was "ecstatic" to have her officers freed up from border control duties, and praised their diligence during the course of the lockout.

Queensland recorded 23,630 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths in the 24 hours to Friday morning.

How Australia faced the emergence of the Omicron variant

Earlier in the week, the state recorded its highest daily death tally of pandemic, with six people dying in the 24 hours to Thursday morning.

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2022-01-15 10:09:31Z
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