QLD mulls triple vaccination rule as WA warned keeping closed will be worse for health

QLD mulls triple vaccination rule as WA warned keeping closed will be worse for health

Queensland has joined WA and Victoria in considering mandatory triple vaccination for international arrivals, however, recent research suggests further barriers could have an adverse effect on health outcomes.

Queensland may announce a third jab mandate for international arrivals as early as today, but many are warning the move could deter tourists.

In fact, according to The Courier Mail, Queensland will miss out on up to 99 per cent of its biggest pre-pandemic tourist markets if the triple vax mandate is implemented.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated she will follow in the direction of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Western Australia’s Mark McGowan, requiring three doses for international arrival.

This is, of course, only if the advice from ATAGI changes the definition to include a third jab.

An update to this definition could hinder international travel numbers as just 32 per cent of New Zealanders, just over half the UK and 27 per cent of the US have had a third dose. These three countries comprised 760,000 arrivals into Queensland in 2019.

WA warned against further border closure

ICU’s in WA could become overwhelmed and more could die from a bigger Omicron outbreak if Western Australia waits too long to reopen the state’s border, according to independent modelling.

The findings were calculated by George Milne, an expert in infectious diseases modelling and professor of computer science at the University of Western Australia.

Milne’s work was previously used by the WHO and state and federal health departments to help with policies and vaccine rollout.

Milne calculated that if the border opened on 5 June, there would be a total of 478 deaths, 360 ICU admissions, 3,603 hospital admissions, and more than 885,352 cases during the Omicron outbreak in WA.

The professor said an opening on 5 March would be his advice for Premier Mark McGowan.

Milne’s modelling shows a small increase in case numbers if the border opens in March, April, or May.

According to the ABC, Milne predicts that over that three month period the total number of hospitalisations for the Omicron outbreak would increase from 2,932 to 3,203, ICU admissions from 293 to 320 and deaths 383 to 421 depending on which month the border re-opens.

“What we see is that if the border opens in March or April or May, we get quite a contained outbreak,” Milne said.

“And if we were to look at the endpoint of our modelling, which is ICU bed demand, fully-staffed ICU bed demand, that can be managed, the peak of the outbreak can be managed in terms of cases that end up in ICU, if the border opens up in the next few months.

“However, if the border opens from June onwards, the number of cases, people hospitalised and ending up in ICU steadily increases month by month to the point where ICU facilities may well be overwhelmed.”


Featured image source: Facebook/Annastacia Palaszczuk

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]