Queensland police say 600,000 border passes have been issued in the past week and more than 1,100 cars turned around as another checkpoint is erected in a suburban street, frustrating locals.
Key points:
- 200 Queensland ADF personnel will fly to Victoria today to assist the coronavirus response
- Barricades have been erected near the border to stop people entering the state unlawfully
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Coolangatta resident Kylie Heussner says the area feels like a “police state”
It comes as police urge motorists crossing the Queensland-New South Wales border to be patient with delays expected to continue for months.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said up to 1,200 police were monitoring borders each day and about 43,000 vehicles had been intercepted.
“It’s not normal times, it is COVID, and this will continue to be the case for many more months to come,” Commissioner Carroll said.
Commissioner Carroll said police had received a considerable amount of help from the Australian Defence Force, SES, Rural Fire Service and Department of Transport.
About 200 of Queensland’s ADF personnel will fly to Victoria this afternoon to assist in the state’s unfolding coronavirus