Why Gympie is at risk of Covid lockdown in late 2021

The region has hit a vaccination rate of 52.2% this week, trailing behind the Sunshine Coast, the rest of Wide Bay, and most of Queensland. Residents and businesses have been warned, this could well mean bad news and severe loss of freedoms come December 17.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath and Gympie MP Tony Perrett say the region faces the threat of being lockeddown after December 17, as it is not on track to hit the 80 per cent double vaccination milestone until early in 2022.

Gympie, get the jab or risk lockdowns.

This was the warning issued today.

Where some Queensland residents will be at risk of not being allowed into pubs and clubs come December 17, Gympie residents face the possibility of not being able to move at all, possibly for weeks.

Latest figures reveal the Gympie region has among the worst uptakes of vaccinations in Queensland, leaving it open to localised lockdowns when borders open.

The threat is likely to remain until the new year.

Its 52.2 per cent double vaccination rate has put it in line to not hit the 80 per cent vaccination rate until January 7, three weeks after the State Government’s hard date to reopen to vaccinated travellers.

Only six other local government areas were moving slower: Central Highlands, Isaac, Banana, Mareeba, Charters Towers and Cherbourg.

The Fraser Coast is expected to clear the 80 per cent mark almost two weeks before the State’s deadline, and Bundaberg with four days to spare.

Once borders reopen on December 17 at the latest, the Gympie region faces being subject to targeted prevention measures if it experiences a surge in Covid cases and has not hit the 80 per cent mark. Picture: Tertius Pickard

A Sunshine Coast Health and Hospital Services spokeswoman said there was still more work to do across the region.

“More than 67 per cent of Gympie locals … have now had one dose of the Covid-19 vaccination and while this is great progress, we would like to see more locals roll up their sleeves,” she said.

“There are plenty of opportunities for residents to receive their vaccination.

“Locals can visit the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s vaccination hub at Gympie Civic Centre, or one of the nine pharmacies and nine GP clinics in the Gympie area which provide Covid-19 vaccination.”

The State Government has launched a week long “vax-a-thon” to encourage people to get their shot, with ministers visiting key areas where rates are low.

Gympie’s Civic Centre has been part of a push to vaccinate the region, but the vaccination rate at present means the region may not hit the double jab milestone until January 7, 2022.

“We cannot protect you if you won’t protect yourself,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“We want families and friends reunited for Christmas.

“If you are yet to be vaccinated you are running out of time.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Monday regions with low rates could face targeted restrictions to help the State manage any surge in cases.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett, who is vaccinated, supported the push but said the State had not made getting the jab easy.

“(Gympie’s) low rate is a direct result of the Government’s both mixed messaging and mismanagement,” Mr Perrett said.

“It has scared people about vaccinations, indulged in political blame games, double standards, and mismanaged the roll-out in Gympie.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett has encouraged residents to get vaccinated, but said the State’s rollout of the program has not made it easy to do so. Picture: Shane Zahner

“It’s been mishandled locally, and the State is the worst in the nation.”

Mr Perrett said people had been forced to deal with “websites that didn’t work”, while the long-awaited vaccination hub at the Civic Centre “was on, off, and then delayed for a month”.

“Last weekend’s hub at our local Bunnings, which was only open for four hours each day, vaccinated 160 people,” he said.

“It’s frustrating for everyone

“It’s slow, it’s inept, it’s ponderous and it’s unacceptable for what is supposed to be a major public health service.

“They’ve mucked it up locally and now they don’t understand why the take-up is so slow.

“No wonder people lost confidence and are hesitant.”

Mr Perrett said at the end of the day “if (people) don’t get a vaccination that’s their choice, their risk”.

“I am vaccinated and I encourage people to get vaccinated.

“It’s the only pathway out of the economic, financial, and social stress caused by the restrictions.”