In good news for Lismore, the Queensland Government has announced this morning that the Shires of Ballina, Byron, City of Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes will now be included in the border zone.

From 1am on Thursday 1 October, the relaxed restrictions will come into place.

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Residents will need to apply for a border pass to travel into Queensland.

Queensland residents have always been able to travel to NSW but will now be able to travel into the border zone areas in NSW without having to quarantine on their return to Queensland.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan welcomed the latest expansion of the Queensland Border Bubble, but said “there is still much more work to be done.”

“It is great to see Lismore, Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Ballina Local Government Areas included in the expansion," he said.

“However, we can still only travel within the bubble, which currently only extends to the Gold Coast.”

“This is very restrictive for people with families anywhere else in Queensland.”

“It is also not acceptable that Clarence Valley Council and Coffs Harbour Council aren’t included in this expansion.”

“Our region has no community transmission of the virus. We are not a hot spot.”

“I have criticised this border closure since the beginning, as it has not been recommended by the Chief Health Officer.”

“I will continue to fight until the borders are fully open and we can travel freely through the State.”

Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin MLC said the Queensland Government’s decision to keep borders restricted for so long has caused devastating outcomes for many people in NSW and it is about time the border restrictions were eased.

“It is incredibly welcome news this morning that more border communities will now be able to access Queensland,” Mr Franklin said.

“We have seen and heard devastating and distressing stories from people all across our border communities so it is wonderful to see that common sense has prevailed.

“The easing of restrictions will mean more people in NSW and Queensland can access their job, school, health care providers and visit family and friends which will reduce the stresses that many people in our communities have been facing.”

There are currently no active cases of COVID-19 across the Northern Rivers and so this decision makes sense to help those in border communities lead their lives with more normalcy and less unnecessary stress.

More information can be found at http://www.Qld.gov.au