The Queensland government has stymied plans for short visits to NSW under an updated COVID-19 policy.

Once 80 per cent of the Sunshine State’s population has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, the state borders will be reopened to fully vaccinated people in declared hotspots.

However, arrivals must first return a negative COVID-19 PCR test in the 72 hours prior before they will be granted entry.

The policy was initially questioned for its practicality around day trips, as travellers would likely need to undergo their test in Queensland before travelling into NSW for the day.

The Palaszczuk government has updated the policy to close the ‘loophole’ and will now require the test to be taken and returned while in a COVID-19 hotspot.

It means day, and potentially weekend trips will be ruled out, as testing typically has a 24-hour or greater turnaround.

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