Travellers will now be required to return a negative rapid antigen test instead of a PCR test before travel as state records 3,118 new cases
Queensland is due to change travel restrictions into the state despite a surge in fresh Covid cases and criticisms the new requirements are “pointless” in states with large outbreaks.
However the change raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of test results, as unlike PCR tests, the tests are not performed by trained professionals or analysed by and reported to a central authority. A spokesperson for the Queensland police said officers will be performing random compliance checks on travellers, though not all will be stopped as they enter the state by road or plane.
“This was discussed this morning at the Covid Ready committee. It was not a good use of our resources at the moment, and so the Entry Check requirement has been removed. The rapid antigen test requirement has been removed.”Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Chris Moy said at this stage of the pandemic travel requirements like those within Queensland “didn’t make sense in a situation where there’s such a scarcity of RAT tests which could be better used”.
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