A group of six Victorians has been fined more than $24,000 after trying to cross the border into Queensland in a minivan.

The group, who had lied on their border declaration forms, told police patrolling entry the state’s points that they had been working in NSW for three weeks.

However, evidence on their phones revealed they had been in coronavirus hotspots in Victoria during the past 14 days.

“Police intercepted a minivan on Saturday night, where all six occupants were refused entry at the M1 border control check point,” Queensland Police said.

“On Sunday, officers intercepted the same van on Stuart Street in Coolangatta around 2pm.”

All six in the group – two 19-year-old women and four men aged 18, 19, 23 and 28 – were fined $4,003 for failing to comply border directions and turned around immediately.

On Monday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said “Victorians cannot come to Queensland”.

“We saw some people trying to get in, in a van, it’s not on … And you’ll be caught. And you’ll be fined.

“So those young people now have hefty fines they now have to pay.”

Queensland Police said they had refused entry to more than 850 people since the current rules were imposed on July 10.