Travelling interstate? Here's what Canberrans must do to cross the border

As state borders begin to open up again to the ACT, many Canberrans have already raced to book their airfares. In just one week, an extra 2500 airfares have been booked, mostly driven by travel to the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide. But while travel is back on the cards again with Queensland and South Australia, it's not as simple as booking a ticket and getting on a plane. Here's what you have to do in order to make it over the border. Travel to the sunshine state will resume from 1am on September 25, following an announcement last week by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Canberrans had been barred from entering the state since August 8. However, travellers now wanting to head to Queensland will have to travel by plane, as NSW is still considered a coronavirus hotspot, so road trips up the Pacific Highway are not on for now. Those who have booked flights won't be able to enter NSW for the 14 days before their travel, due to NSW being classified as a hotspot. Many residents in neighbouring areas to the ACT such as Queanbeyan, Murrumbateman, Yass and Googong have expressed outrage online at being denied entry to Queensland just yet, despite the regional areas not reporting a COVID-19 case for months. Travellers will have to fill out a Queensland border declaration pass before they leave. Applications can be done on arrival at the border, but health authorities have warned of delays. Travellers will need to provide proof of their identity such as a driver's licence or a Medicare card. The declaration also includes agreeing to get a coronavirus test if any symptoms are developed within 14 days of arriving in Queensland. People will be forced into quarantine at their own expense if they had been in contact with someone who has coronavirus in the past 14 days or have had the virus or any symptoms in the two weeks prior to travelling. Penalties have been increased for lying on a declaration pass. They include a $4000 fine or a court-imposed penalty of more than $13,000 or six months in jail Travel from the ACT to South Australia has become significantly easier from Thursday, after NSW residents were allowed into the state once again. ACT residents had been able to visit South Australia without having to undergo quarantine since September 16, but were only allowed to fly in due to NSW being classed as a coronavirus hotspot at the time. Canberrans were also barred from entering NSW for two weeks if they wanted to come to South Australia. However, following a drop in coronavirus cases in NSW, residents in the state can also now cross the border. Despite the broadening of border travel, there are still things ACT residents will have to do before they get to South Australia. All travellers will have to complete a cross border travel registration form, and should let health authorities know of their intention to travel. A pre-approval number for entry over the border will then be emailed to travellers. Upon arrival, Canberrans will need to produce that number to authorities when either arriving by plane or by road. If you are driving to South Australia, entry can only be done through the NSW/South Australia border as the Victoria border remains shut.