Qld border opening: fears of long delays at checkpoints amid surge in stranded travellers

Large numbers of stranded travellers have begun arriving at the Queensland border days ahead of its scheduled reopening, increasing concerns about long delays at police checkpoints.

The New South Wales cross-border commissioner, James McTavish, told Guardian Australia there was also some concern that northern NSW may not have the Covid testing capacity to meet demand over the weekend.

The border has been closed to most people, including returning Queenslanders, for almost five months. In that time, people unable to return have been stranded in the NSW northern rivers, with many living in caravan parks and showgrounds.

For those attempting to cross the border as soon as possible, there remains significant uncertainty about how the process will work.

People will require a border pass, but on Friday morning the state had not yet made passes available.

Rod Webb, from Ocean Grove in Victoria, is planning to drive north over a couple of days to reach the border on Monday. He phoned Queensland Health on Friday seeking basic information and was told that details about the pass were still not known.

Authorities are urging people to delay their travel if possible.

The Tweed shire council says dedicated border crossings are needed for locals, in order to prevent the border opening heaping more impost onto commuters and businesses.

Green said the closure had been tough for border communities and that he expected difficulties to continue after the re-opening.

Police are unlikely to telegraph some aspects of their efforts to enforce rules at border crossings, which include that people arriving from NSW and Victoria must be double-vaccinated.

The commissioner, Katarina Carroll, has said police might conduct random checks or 100% compliance.