LNP Government would develop COVID-Safe plans for funerals, end-of-life visits
Families would get be able to visit dying relatives and attend funerals for their nearest and dearest if the LNP wins government next month, Leader Deb Frecklington has promised.
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COVID-Safe plans would be developed for funerals and for end-of-life visits under an LNP Government to stop families from being denied the ability to grieve properly, Deb Frecklington says.
The LNP Leader has pledged to take a “consistent, compassionate and commonsense approach” to funerals and terminal illness if she wins election on October 31.
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“The LNP is determined to map out procedures to protect the community and still allow family members to visit terminally ill loved ones and attend funerals,” she said.
“If there can be a COVID-safe plan for Tom Hanks and the AFL, there can be a plan for everyday Queenslanders.”
The commitment comes after a week of heightened debate over exemptions for funerals and end-of-life visits, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young insisting restrictions are keeping Queenslanders safe from the virus.
Ms Frecklington suggested a COVID-safe plan for visiting the terminally ill and attending funerals could involve wearing personal protective equipment and include strict requirements not to mix in the community.
Under the LNP’s proposal, COVID-Safe plans would be required for all funerals or visits at which a family member from interstate attended who had not undertaken a two-week quarantine beforehand.
It’s understood there would be different requirements and management options based on which region in Australia relatives were travelling from and the number of COVID cases in that region.
Ms Frecklington said Labor had “prioritised COVID-safe plans for Hollywood celebrities and the AFL VIPs” but the LNP would prioritise everyday Queenslanders.
She said she would work with the Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, to develop COVID-Safe plans as a priority if elected.
“There can’t be one rule for the rich and another rule for Queenslanders whose families are being tragically torn apart,” she said.
“It’s time to end the unfair double-standards that Queenslanders keep seeing on border exemptions.
“Until there is a vaccine, we need to manage and live with COVID-19.
“Lives and livelihoods can be protected, but we need consistency, compassion and common sense too.”