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Posted: 2021-09-23 02:44:46

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declined to commit to a Christmas timeline for reopening Queensland's borders, pointing to the "massive Delta outbreak" of COVID-19 in New South Wales and Victoria.

Queensland has recorded one new local case of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Ms Palaszczuk said the COVID-positive person was a female student from St Thomas More College in Sunnybank, which was linked to a known cluster.

The student has been in home quarantine.

Ms Palaszczuk said there was also a second case in a person who had arrived from overseas and was in hotel quarantine.

Asked about the Queensland roadmap, she said Queenslanders already have more freedoms than people in NSW and Victoria, which are looking at enacting more freedoms when 80 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated.

"National Cabinet is committed to a national plan … but 80 per cent will mean different things to different states," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The national plan has not been finalised."

The Premier was also asked if Queenslanders would be able to travel to Melbourne and Sydney by Christmas, but she did not answer the question directly.

Ms Palaszczuk said she "looks forward to the day when families can be reunited".

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking to reporters
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says there are no concerns with the latest COVID cases.(

ABC News

)

"The reason we have this situation at the moment is because there is a massive Delta outbreak in NSW and Victoria," she said.

"The reason we have tough border measures in place is because there is a massive outbreak at the moment in NSW and Victoria and their hospitals are going to be overwhelmed."

NRL ticket giveaway for those that get vaccinated

Authorities gave their daily COVID-19 update from a new Brisbane vaccination hub at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at Pinkenba, which opens seven days a week from today.

The NRL has joined the Queensland vaccine push, offering 3,000 free tickets to people coming forward for vaccines at certain hubs today and tomorrow.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said with COVID-19 "on our doorstep" she hoped the campaign would increase walk-ins.

"We need as many people coming forward and getting vaccinated — we need to get to that 80 per cent mark as quickly as we possibly can," Ms D'Ath said.

She said the ticket giveaways will go to walk-ins at the vaccination hubs at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Pinkenba, Logan Entertainment Centre and Mount Warren Park.

On offer are 2,000 double passes to Friday's game between the Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs and 1,000 for Saturday's Storm and Panthers game.

Storm player Josh Addo-Carr screams during a match
There are 1,000 double passes on offer for this Saturday's preliminary final between Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers. (

Getty: Mark Kolbe

)

Dr Young said the new Pinkenba hub was created in an effort to make vaccinations "as easy as possible".

"This one will be offering vaccinations to anyone who walks in but also … work groups, so that people can organise a bus.

"The sooner we've got Queenslanders fully vaccinated, the sooner we can remove so many of restrictions we've had for a long time now."

'All started from one case'

Ms D'Ath said more than 80 vaccination sites are operating across Queensland alongside GPs and pharmacies.

She said Queenslanders should "seek to rebook" future vaccine appointments with more supply and availability opening up.

"What you will find is there is booking slots becoming available much earlier and you can reschedule that appointment and bring it forward to now," she said.

"Let's not wait until we've got a major outbreak, let's get vaccinated now.

"Across New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and New Zealand – that all started from one case."

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