Queensland cautiously welcomes superyachts after border closures
The border may have slammed shut to domestic boats, but superyachts can still come and enjoy all Queensland has to offerQueensland has closed its southern border to all marine traffic as neighbouring states and territories grapple with the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Queensland Government has declared the whole of NSW, the ACT and Victoria as a COVID-19 hotspot, with the tighter restrictions meaning anyone who has been in a hotspot over the last 14 days will not be allowed into the state.
However, Queensland residents can return to the state, but must quarantine themselves in government-provided accommodation at their expense.
Under the terms of the new restrictions, the only way Queensland residents can return to to the state is by air – the new border restrictions direction issued at the weekend specifically states residents will not be able to return by road or boat.
Meanwhile, superyachts coming to Queensland from overseas destinations will stool be welcomed in the state’s ports but must adhere to a strict 14-day quarantine period from the day that they enter a port in Queensland.
The Queensland Government has mandated that time at sea does not automatically count towards the 14-day quarantine period.
Special permit
However, superyacht owners or operators will be able to apply for a special permit that exempts them from quarantine as long as they have been at sea for more than two weeks since visiting the last international port or to quarantine themselves for the balance of days since leaving an international port if fewer than 14 days have been spent at sea.
Superyacht owners and operators also will need to demonstrate that they are taking steps to prevent a potential COVID-19 outbreak, including:
- Proof of last international port (both location and departure date).
- Evidence that no person has boarded or disembarked the vessel since visiting the last international port.
- Show that social distancing and good hygiene have been/can continue to be maintained.
- Prove that risk of COVID-19 transmission can be effectively mitigated (COVIDSafe plan).
- If applying to quarantine on board the vessel, evidence that no-one onboard will disembark or onboard the vessel during quarantine (including having sufficient provisions on board to support the quarantine period).
Marine Safety Queensland said Queensland’s chief health officer would assess each superyacht quarantine exemption application “on a case by case basis”.
“MSQ encourages superyacht owners/operators to apply for an exemption well in advance of arrival in Queensland, to ensure enough time for any exemption request to be considered,” it said.
Two superyachts arriving from overseas have already successfully applied for exemptions after spending “extensive time" at sea, MSQ said.
More information is available via Queensland Health.
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