When Fraser Coast businesses can refuse service to unvaccinated

As the Fraser Coast’s vaccination rates continue to grow, those who haven’t had their jab have been warned they could soon be turned away from their favourite restaurant, their gym or even their hairdresser.

Fraser Coast businesses will be able to turn away unvaccinated community members from December 17 as Queensland’s borders reopen.

Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni was in Maryborough on Tuesday to talk about the region’s vaccination rates, accompanied by Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders.

The Fraser Coast is now 60.5 per cent fully vaccinated.

Mr de Brenni warned that while Queensland’s Covid-free status had allowed many freedoms while other parts of the country were in lockdown, choosing not to get vaccinated could have consequences as the State opened its borders to the rest of Australia.

“From December 17, venues like your local pub, your tavern, it could be your local community club, it could even be your gym or your hairdresser, will be able to impose a vaccinated visitors only rule,” Mr de Brenni said.

The vaccination hub at Maryborough City Hall.

“That means if you haven’t had your double dose by that time, you might find yourself unable to attend the things that you love.

“You might not be able to go to a pub or your favourite restaurant.

“We want to make sure that Queenslanders can continue to support their local economy, so the best way to do that right now is to get vaccinated.”
Mr de Brenni said there were eight weeks left for people to get both their vaccination shots before borders reopened.

“The window of opportunity is closing day by day,” he said.

Minister Mick de Brenni with Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders and Fraser Coast councillor Darren Everard encouraging people across the region to get vaccinated.

“If you haven’t got your first vaccination in the next month, that means you won’t be fully protected by the 17th of December.”

He said he knew people were looking forward to reuniting with their families, especially for Christmas.

Mr de Brenni said it was important for the local economy to ensure vaccination rates were high, because the worst thing that could happen for many businesses was a snap lockdown.

“We can prevent that by getting ourselves vaccinated,” he said.

Mr Saunders said he was pro-vaccination and had received both doses himself.

He said it was vital for people to get vaccinated to protect their community and to keep the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic going.

Fully vaccinated Maryborough resident Sandra Armstrong.

Mr Saunders said the hard work of the State Government was reflected in unemployment numbers in the region, which were the lowest since 2009.

Maryborough’s Sandra Armstrong had received both doses of the vaccine.

As a nurse during the days of polio outbreaks, she said she knew all too well what could happen without a vaccine.

She said she was proud of the region for going out and getting vaccinated in such high numbers.