Cops irate at southern sneaks

FED-UP police are furious at the growing rush of southerners trying to sneak in to Queensland as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to explode.

As Victoria recorded its worst single-day tally of new infections, Queensland police on Monday recorded the highest number of people turned around at Gold Coast checkpoints since state borders were reopened on July 10.

While most of the one million people to have applied for border passes since July 3 have been allowed entry, police are growing increasingly frustrated at a minority potentially placing Queensland at risk.

The number turned away from Queensland at Gold Coast checkpoints on Monday soared past 700. A further 19 people have been fined since July 10 for failing to comply with Queensland’s COVID-19 border direction.

Victoria on Monday reported 532 new coronavirus cases, with the state’s death toll now climbing above 80, while fears are rising in NSW as 17 new cases were recorded linked to outbreaks stemming from a Thai restaurant and a Bankstown funeral.

There is also growing outrage at the number of confrontations between police and self-righteous citizens refusing to co-operate with health warnings in southern states.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler hit out at people defying health warnings by trying to gain access to Queensland from COVID-19 hot spots in Victoria and Sydney now banned from entry.

“Their actions are a risk to everyone and they’re risking Queensland lives,” he said.

“It’s really disappointing and it unnecessarily diverts our police resources at a time when we’re trying to keep Queenslanders safe.”