State government’s decision to pause relocations to Queensland sparks outrage
Queenslanders have shared fears of temporary homelessness and being out of pocket for thousands of dollars after this week’s announcement of a pause on relocations into the state. VOTE IN OUR POLL
QLD Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queenslanders unexpectedly locked out of the state following a Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement of a two-week pause on interstate relocation into the Sunshine State.
Ms Palaszczuk announced the move on Wednesday morning, saying the state was being “loved to death” and influx of people looking to relocate from interstate was putting a massive strain on hotel quarantine.
People with medical or bereavement exemptions are not included and home quarantine has been ruled out for the moment.
Courier-Mail readers have voiced their concern in the wake of the shock announcement.
Sharon Hodder says relatives in NSW could be without a home as soon as Sunday night after a long-planned relocation to Bundaberg has impacted.
“They finally tied up loose ends, sold their home (which settles on 30/8), their lives are in boxes with the removalists due Friday this week to take their belongings to storage, pets transport organised and flights ready to come,” Ms Hudson said.
The couple, who are in their 60s and are fully vaccinated, had applied for border passes and planned on hotel quarantine next week, to then stay with family while looking for a new home.
“Now they are stuck in NSW, with no home as of Sunday night, no belonging, etc. Just ridiculous,” she said.
Queensland resident Graham Leo has spent the past two weeks in quarantine in Melbourne after returning to Australia from Vietnam.
He said he had returned six negative results for Covid-19 tests, but will no longer be able to board his scheduled flight to Brisbane this weekend.
He says the Queensland Health website has indicated any assessment for his return to the state is suspended until September 8.
“There is no consideration for people with my circumstances which is very unreasonable” Mr Leo said.
“This will mean doing quarantine again sometime when I can enter Queensland, after likely spending several thousand dollars in accommodation because there is no family or friends here in Melbourne” he said.
Hundreds of Courier-Mail readers have shared their thoughts, some labelling the State Government move a “knee-jerk reaction”.
“So this state now puts a higher value on the NRL teams and their families … This Government should be ashamed it is putting celebrity and dollars above the ordinary peoples lives,” Dino said.
“Appalling lack of planning from this government, get the guys from the pub who run the chook raffle they will do a better job. Premier just keep crushing peoples sprit, can want until this comes back to bite you,” Mark said.
“Another knee jerk reaction to a situation that has been known for over a week. They have no concern for the impact these short notice decisions have on people’s lives. Disgraceful,” JohnP said.
“It is quite outrageous that in a federation we are seeing this type of decision making. This was an opportunity for the government to encourage vaccination, rather than dwell in the past of lockdowns. Yet all we see is AP freshly made up for another press conference plugging the repetitive facade of keeping everyone safe.” Paul said.
However, others have defended the premier’s efforts to protect Queenslanders.
“Home quarantine is not an option. Too many have been proven to have no regard for the rules … I am really sorry for those caught out, but this was always going to be a possibility in this time of rampant Covid in NSW and Victoria, and I just wonder at people trying to make the move at this time. Surely they knew the risks,” Harriet said.
“Honestly why are people wanting to come back to Qld now. They should have come home weeks ago it was pretty obvious this was going real bad weeks ago should have come back then not now” John said.
People with medical or bereavement exemptions are not included in the lockout.
‘The biggest public health threat of our times’
Experts say instances of self harm linked to social media use are at virus epidemic levels, labelling it “the biggest public health threat of our times”.
Vaccination rates a sad casualty of Covid
The chaotic years of Covid are receding rapidly, but the latest legacy is the rise of ‘vaccine fatigue’ and it’s putting our children at risk, writes the Editor.