The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has welcome today's announcement by the premier which opens most of Queensland's interstate travel.
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As of July 10 Queensland will move into some aspects of Stage 3 including opening the borders but entry from Victoria will not be permitted.
It's good news for an interstate tourism industry that QTIC CEO Daniel Gschwind said contributed $9.2 billion to the Queensland economy last year, incomes for 240,000 employees and tens of thousands of business in every part of Queensland.
"This announcement by the Premier will bring back a new ray of hope to all those people and their families," Mr Gschwind said.
"Queensland has the highest number of COVID-Clean businesses and has successfully implemented the Queensland Tourism and Accommodation Industry COVID Safe Business Plan. We are confident as an industry that operators will provide a safe travel experience."
In addition to the opening of borders on 10 July, Stage 3 will see other restrictions eased early on Friday 3 July with an increase for the number of people allowed in venues.
Larger hospitality venues will have no limits on numbers providing the one person per four square metre capacity rule applies. For smaller businesses the four-square metre rule will be relaxed, allowing up to 50 customers for a venue below 200 square metres in size, provided they keep a register of customers.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland has also welcomed the news of the border opening date and the lifting of arbitrary restrictions which will allow small businesses to adopt a 1 person per 2 sq metre rule giving them a chance to operate at a viable capacity.
CCIQ's general manager of advocacy and policy, Amanda Rohan, said today's announcements will allow business to begin to get back up and running.
"This is good news for small business, as is the lifting restrictions for pubs, clubs, stadiums as it will breathe some life into our local businesses and communities that rely on our whole economy to be moving ," Ms Rohan said.
"Having a date of when our borders will open is a relief for business, particularly in our regional areas that can start welcoming many of our interstate visitors back.
"Business have been treading water to keep themselves afloat and can now begin moving forward, something they have been desperately wanting to do.
"There will still be an impact to our regions reliant on tourism and hospitality, as interstate travellers from Victoria are vastly important, however we are pleased to see our state start moving again."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
