Queensland has recorded one new locally-acquired case of COVID-19 as it prepares to reopen its borders and enforce vaccine mandates.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says the new case emerged after 12,468 tests in the 24 hours to 6.30am on Tuesday.
The case is a Gold Coast man linked to three existing infections, and who may be the index case as he recently travelled to NSW.
"There is still a risk on the Gold Coast because there are a number of these positive cases that have been in the community for a number of days," Ms D'Ath told reporters on Tuesday.
A flight and Cairns airport have been listed as exposure sites after a traveller flew there from Sydney and into hotel quarantine on Friday.
Another six exposure sites have also been listed for Saturday and Sunday north of Brisbane, including Bunnings Maroochydore, a Kallangur motel, shops at Strathpine and Buddina, and a Banyo service station.
The cases come as Queensland prepares to scrap quarantine for all fully-vaccinated domestic travellers from virus hotspots who test negative from 1am on Monday.
There will be no restrictions on travellers who have not recently visited hotspots.
It will be the first time Queensland has been open to all Australians since April 28.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk didn't say if she regretted border closures, particularly those preventing end-of-life visits, which have been in place for 229 consecutive days.
"My job has been to keep Queenslanders safe, and whilst I might have been criticised in other parts of the country, people in my state have not been critical," Ms Palaszczuk told Nine's Today program.
"Now is the time we all put that behind us and we look forward to reuniting loved ones and having a beautiful Christmas together."
Queensland Health centres will be open through the Christmas holidays so interstate travellers can do a required test on day five.
They will only need to isolate until they get a result if they have symptoms, and can get tested on day four or six if day five presents logistical issues.
The government has also unveiled directives for vaccine mandates in hospitals, schools, child care centres, prisons and venues from December 17.
Ms D'Ath said everyone who works in those sites will need to be vaccinated, along with anyone entering any venue.
Vaccination will be mandatory in cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, pubs, theatres, cinemas, museums, libraries and sports stadiums.
"When you walk up to that door and you see that sign that says 'this is a vaccinated business', if you choose to walk past that sign unvaccinated it is you that are breaching the rules, it is you that is committing an offence and there are consequences to it," she said.
Amid concerns over unruly unvaccinated patrons, the government will make deliberately spitting, coughing or sneezing on venue workers, or threatening to do so, an offence carrying a $1378.50 fine.
Small Business Minister Di Farmer said workers will also be offered training in de-escalating tensions.
The latest figures show 79.11 per cent of Queenslanders aged over 16 are fully vaccinated with 87.53 per cent having had at least one dose.
Australian Associated Press
