The NSW man was deemed a COVID-19 close contact in Sydney and was instructed to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

He received a negative test result but allegedly failed to adhere to the health orders and left self-isolation, catching the VA1139 Virgin flight from Sydney to northern NSW's Ballina on July 14.

He then travelled across the Queensland border by car with the QantasLink flight attendant recorded COVID-positive on Friday.

It was later confirmed he was in fact COVID-positive and had received a false negative test result.

The matter has been referred to NSW Police.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the flight attendant likely caught COVID from the man.

He said the July 12 and 13 flights she worked on were no longer of concern, nor was public health in Gladstone, Longreach or Hervey Bay considered at risk.

But both cases were active in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with numerous exposure sites listed by Queensland Health.

The sites include Dreamworld and a popular Gold Coast restaurant.

Mr Miles said anyone in Brisbane or Gold Coast with respiratory symptoms should immediately seek COVID-19 testing.

"The risk in Brisbane and Gold Coast in particular remains very real and the wearing of masks continues to be incredibly important," Mr Miles said.

Queensland's borders remain closed to NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

There were also five cases reported on Sunday in Queensland's hotel quarantine system.

Australian Associated Press