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Travel Trouble

Why teenagers travelled to VIC before bringing COVID-19 to QLD

Queensland is on edge after three new cases of coronavirus have emerged, with two being teenage women who allegedly lied on their border declaration and brought coronavirus into QLD's south-east.

Their actions have been labelled as reckless, as major testing and tracing operation is underway to stop the spread.

The two 19-year-old girls travelled to Melbourne, allegedly intending to commit thefts on high-end fashion stores.

The pair also attended an illegal party on July 19 and were handed $1,600 fines for ignoring restrictions.

On July 21, the pair flew from Melbourne to Sydney and by not leaving the terminal, they avoided border checks.

The pair arrived in Brisbane and allegedly provided fake names and false border declarations.

Hundreds of anxious members from the Parklands Christian College community are angry and fearing that they have been infected as the pair travelled to the area.

“I think it’s disgraceful, how did they get up from Victoria?” one person asked.

“I’m very very disappointed. I think it was reckless,” another told 7NEWS.

Queensland Police state disaster coordinator Steve Gollschewski said that an investigation into the women's movements was ongoing.

“This is a criminal investigation we’re conducting,” he said.

“This is a clear representation of how the actions of a few can impact many,” said Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.

“Because of the decisions of these two women, that brought the virus back to Queensland, thousands more will have to be tested and self-isolate.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared drastic action.

“Queensland will now be declaring greater Sydney a COVID-19 hotspot,” she said on Wednesday.

“it is going to cause an inconvenience to families, and I know there may be a lot of events planned, but it is too important,” Palaszczuk said.

“We must protect our elders.”

Tags:
queensland, victoria, lies, border declaration, fake, false