Community fights back against coronavirus fears in Sunnybank

No new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Queensland for two weeks, but this Brisbane community has been forced to deliver a simple message in a bid to save their businesses.

FOR weeks, community leaders on Brisbane’s southside have watched as fear of coronavirus has drained the life from their normally bustling restaurants, supermarkets and events.

But now they want to deliver a strong message: “There’s nothing to worry about”.

China travel ban extended as Qantas cuts Qld flights

Taste: How to help our Chinese restaurants in their hour of need

Coronavirus Qld: Seafood industry brought to its knees

Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations secretary-general Florence Day was spreading that message in Sunnybank yesterday, eating at one her favourite restaurants.

Tracy Lin, Member for Moreton Graham Perrett, Glamorous Wok owner Jacky Lee, Steve Hsu and Florence Day urge the community to support businesses in Sunnybank doing it tough since the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: John Gass/AAP

But unlike pre-coronavirus days when she would have to circle the chock-a-block Sunnypark Shopping Centre fighting for a park, yesterday she found a spot straight outside the doors of the Glamorous Wok.

“Everybody is getting a bit more scared but they should not be worried about,” she said.

Inside the restaurant, the owner, Jacky Lee, pointed at the empty seats as another meagre lunchtime crowd finished their meals.

Member for Moreton Graham Perrett and business owner Steve Hsu want the community to know there’s nothing to worry about in Sunnybank. Picture: John Gass/AAP

“This is very serious, our business has been cut in half,” he said.

“I think the Australian Government has done a very good job stopping people coming out of China but everybody is afraid and worried about coming out in public.”

He said his business woes were replicated in every restaurant in the area, with some shutting their doors for the past two weeks.

Moreton MP Graham Perrett has been concerned for weeks about the dive in business activity in the area and has been encouraging as many people as possible to eat out.

“This is a fun way to show your support for a community that needs it,” he said.

“Come out, have a meal and order an extra dish.”