Travelling Queensland will be a little less stressful in the New Year with the state government set to scrap mandatory PCR tests. 

From midnight January 1, travellers from interstate hotspots will no longer need to line up to acquire a COVID test.

A negative rapid antigen test will be enough to satisfy border pass requirements.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the rapid antigen tests will be provided from within the states from which the travellers arrive.

“There is no doubt rapid antigen tests in Queensland at the moment are difficult to obtain,” he said. “We are led to believe they are available in NSW.”

“You will perform the RAT test within the 72 hours of your travel, preferably on the day … and then you will perform a declaration online, using the same declaration process that we’ve had until now.

“It is an honesty system but to make a false declaration is a criminal offence.”

Minister Mark Ryan said once 90 per cent of the state has received two doses of COVID-19, tests will be dumped entirely for fully vaccinated travellers.

Press PLAY below to hear the latest 

Host of Healthy Living and cardiologist Dr Ross Walker told Mark Levy he applauds the Premier for the decision.

“But why are we waiting until January 1?” he asked. “Why doesn’t she just say: ‘Look, we made a mistake, have the rapid antigen test to come into our state’.

“There are so many businesses that are being destroyed by this entire shemozzle of the management COVID-19.”

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Ross Walker’s full advice on testing regimes 

Nine News reporter Peter Fegan told Mark Levy it’s an instance where commonsense has prevailed.

“Dr John Gerrard really has been the shining light in Queensland.

“He’s just taken that baton and he’s really run with it. He is the most sensible bloke I’ve ever come across in government.”

Press PLAY below to hear Peter Fegan’s full wrap of the testing updates

Image: Nine News