Hundreds of people are still trying to get into Queensland ahead of stricter border measures to stop the spread coronavirus.

From Friday, anyone who does not have a state government permit proving they have a legitimate reason for cross-border travel will be denied entry.

The measure is the next step in border control after police last week set up checkpoints at the Queensland-NSW border to screen and stop people coming in for non-essential reasons.

“We are still getting hundreds of people coming across our border,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Sunrise on Thursday.

“No permit, no pass come Friday.”

FILE IMAGE of a police checkpoint at the Queensland-NSW border. Credit: Jason O’Brien / AAP

Freight trucks are exempt from the border restrictions, while those travelling for essential reasons such as work and medical reasons would be eligible for permits.

Palaszczuk said all Australians must prepare for a long period living under severe restrictions, including not leaving home unless it’s really necessary.

In the video below: Queensland mobilising ‘Care Army’

Play Video Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is mobilising a ‘Care Army’ of volunteers and professionals to help protect a million seniors living in isolation during the coronavirus crisis. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is mobilising a ‘Care Army’ of volunteers and professionals to help protect a million seniors living in isolation during the coronavirus crisis.

On Thursday, Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young outlined the risk of people from NSW and Victoria, where thousands of cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, getting into Queensland.

She said it’s particularly important the state’s northern regions, where health outcomes are generally worse than other areas, are protected.

‘Don’t come up’

“It is really important people south of the state don’t come up,” Young said in Cairns.

“It’s even more important ... that people from Melbourne and Sydney, who’ve got significant community transmission, don’t come to north Queensland.

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“They are a far bigger risk than people from the southern part of Queensland.”

State Health Minister Steven Miles revealed an 85-year-old man had died from COVID-19 in the Toowoomba Hospital, west of Brisbane, overnight on Thursday.

Miles also confirmed another 57 cases in the state, with its total now 835.