Neighbouring shire in restricted border zone

Moree Plains Shire has been declared a restricted border zone under the latest Public Health Direction.

This will have significant impact on residents of Mungindi and the wider Balonne Shire.

As of 12.01 am Friday 5 November, residents of Moree Plains Shire Council will no longer be able to cross the Queensland border except for very limited reasons, such as essential health care.

Balonne Shire residents may only enter the restricted border zone for a permitted essential purpose.

The essential purposes are:

• Obtaining food or essential goods/services which cannot reasonably be obtained within the state.
• Obtaining medical care/supplies or other health care services, including a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination.
• Performing essential work that cannot be done from home, or providing emergency volunteering.
• Taking the children of essential workers to school or childcare.
• Providing assistance, care or support to a family member or to fulfil other caring responsibilities.
• Fulfilling an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact.
• For children under 18 to continue existing arrangements for family contact.
• Emergency situations.

Any Queensland resident who tries to enter the state from the restricted border zone, and has been there for a non-essential purpose, will be turned back. They will be required to enter by air and quarantine in government approved accommodation at their own expense.

For more details, see the Queensland Government website.

To read the full Public Health Declaration, see Queensland Border Restrictions.