Coronavirus: Hundreds queue up for hours as Queensland reopens border to NSW
Incredible images have captured hundreds of travellers waiting in long queues at the NSW and Queensland border as it reopened on Friday.
Queensland's strict border closure was lifted at midday for the first time since March 25.
Travellers heading to the sunny state have been warned of epic traffic jams over the next 72-hours as the state opens to everyone but those coming from coronavirus hotspot Victoria.
Police have told people to pack food and water, and that traffic could bank up for 20km at major check points.
Almost 314,000 people have now downloaded passes to enter Queensland, with NSW school holiday-makers expected to make up a large portion of incoming tourists.
"We anticipate extensive delays at the major checkpoints. These delays could be more than a couple of hours, with queues potentially up to 20km long," Tweed Byron Police Commander Superintendent Dave Roptell told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
Queensland's airports are also preparing for an influx of arrivals, but some flights have been delayed to help avoid passenger traffic jams.
NSW confirms 14 new coronavirus cases
Health authorities confirmed 14 new coronavirus cases on Friday.
All but one of the cases are returning travellers and have been placed in hotel quarantine.
The remaining case is the third linked to the NSW-Victoria border town of Albury.
NSW Health confirmed the case after flagging it didn't make the deadline for confirmed case numbers on Thursday.
The case is connected to two family members who tested positive to COVID-19 in Albury earlier in the week.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is on Friday expected to consider charging Australians returning from overseas for their two-week hotel quarantine.
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It comes as the premier has warned that the Victorian coronavirus outbreak is a wake-up call and everyone should be "in a state of high alert".
"We need to make sure there hasn't been any 'seeding' prior to that rate of community transmission becoming apparent in Melbourne," she said.
US Marine tests positive in Darwin
A US marine in Darwin has tested positive for coronavirus after being screened on arrival.
The soldier, who doesn't have any symptoms, arrived on Wednesday and had no direct contact with the general community.
In a statement, Defence said all US personnel who arrived or interacted with the person would continue to be monitored during their mandatory 14-day quarantine.
with AAP
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