The Premier had faced fierce backlash for locking out the state’s own residents who were attempting to enter from NSW, Victoria and ACT.Ms Palaszczuk had ordered a two-week pause on arrivals from last Thursday, citing the hotel quarantine system was at capacity and at risk of posing a Covid-19 health risk.But this pause will end five days ahead of what was originally flagged by the Premier after infuriating thousands and leaving the state’s own residents stranded.She told parliament on Wednesday morning the state’s health department had approved the arrival of 50 people on the weekend as capacity in quarantine becomes available.This easing of the unpopular policy will only allow about 1 per cent of the hotel quarantine spots to be filled, however, with Ms Palaszczuk revealing last week 5114 was the maximum health authorities were comfortable with accommodating.“As of Saturday, Queensland residents can begin returning from interstate hot spots into hotel quarantine in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.“The pause on intake has only just begun.“Numbers in our quarantine hotels have only slightly eased so we can offer places to 50 as a start but we will add more places as rooms become available.”The Palaszczuk government faced widespread backlash over its decision to allow cricket and rugby league stars, along with family members, to enter the state despite the pause on interstate arrivals.About 100 NRL partners, families and officials jetted into the state on charter flights on Sunday after being granted an exemption by chief health officer Jeannette Young.The contingent are staying at a designated hotel for the NRL which is not managed by Queensland Health, but the move has infuriated thousands trapped outside the state, leading to Opposition Leader David Crisafulli blasting the premier.“If there’s room for sporting families, then there’s room for Queensland families,” he told parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
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