Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger thinks more could be done at Cairns Airport

As the Far North case numbers grow, Far North leaders think more can be done to keep the community safe. A Cairns regional councillor thinks airport arrivals could be policed more. What do you think?

AS Far North Covid case numbers grow, Far North leaders think more can be done to keep the community safe.

The region recorded another 21 new cases across the Far North on Tuesday with active cases spread out in the community.

Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger went to Victoria to visit her partner’s family in the Yarra Valley last week and was shocked by the lack of detail going in to check people who entered Cairns.

To enter Queensland, a test must be taken 72 hours before arrival and travellers must be vaccinated.

Cr Cathy Zeiger at the Cairns Regional Council building. Picture: Emily Barker

Cr Zeiger said her results from Victoria took almost 72 hours to return which caused a bit of stress because as it came a few hours before they were set to depart.

“So, upon entry to Cairns, did our special QR code or ID get checked? No,” she said.

“There was quick look, but I could have shown them anyone’s pass.

“Whilst I appreciate QPS and Federal Police are overworked, a minute extra taken to check would definitely keep us safer.”

Cr Zeiger said a tightening of procedures could benefit the community.

“If they tightened up on procedures there wouldn’t be as many people coming through with Covid,” she said.

“If I had to wait 20 minutes for them to check I would not have cared.

“After all the inconvenience to do the right thing, it doesn’t even get checked.”

While Cr Zeiger believes there should be more done to police people who enter Cairns from interstate, Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Trent Twomey said Far North residents could be doing more to keep each other safe.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President Trent Twomey. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Wearing a mask is the simplest most practical thing you can do to protect yourself, but those around you,” he said.

“Mask wearing will probably be the habit that will be with us the longest with the recommendation from governments.”

But Mr Twomey said residents shouldn’t only wear masks in settings where the government tells them.

“I think we need to distil it down to common sense regardless if there is a public health order,” he said.

“Case numbers in Queensland and in Cairns are climbing exponentially. Why would far northerners wait for it to be compulsory? Why wouldn’t you do the most common sense thing there is an put a mask on.”

Mr Twomey said it wasn’t compulsory for his children to wear a mask but they do to stay safe.

Originally published as Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger thinks more could be done at Cairns Airport