Townsville business owners join Facebook group for the unvaccinated

Dozens of Townsville business owners are among thousands of people who have joined a new social media group created to “support” businesses wanting to push back against state government restrictions on unvaccinated Queenslanders.

DOZENS of Townsville business owners are among thousands of people who have joined a new social media group created to “support” businesses wanting to push back against state government restrictions on unvaccinated Queenslanders.

But one local doctor has warned the region’s most vulnerable will suffer the consequences of the actions of those who refuse to be vaccinated.

The Businesses Without Passports Townsville and Surrounds group has amassed more than 2900 members since it was created on November 10.

The page boasts an active discussion board which includes posts and comments notifying users of businesses, including cafes, who would “accept” unvaccinated customers, with some users naming businesses planning to comply or require their staff to be vaccinated, and vowing to “boycott” those who comply.

One user told others to give one business a “piece of (their) mind”, while others flooded threads with conspiracy theory rhetoric and images – some even depicting Queensland politicians alongside Nazi swastikas.

More than 80 local business owners and sole traders spanning multiple industries are involved in the group.

Similar pages for the Cairns and Mackay regions have attracted close to 10,000 members.

A new Facebook page has amassed thousands of members including Townsville business owners, sole traders and customers. Posts and comments show members encouraging others to push back on or get around the upcoming restrictions for unvaccinated people.

Cafes and restaurants, food trucks and mobile cafes, caterers, disability and mental health support organisations and support workers, holistic healthcare providers, electricians, cosmetic injectors, as well as a local psychologist were identified.

The admin described the page as a place to “support” businesses across Townsville who were “against the segregation of society and will keep their doors open to all”.

The page‘s creation comes after the latest state government restrictions for unvaccinated people were announced, which will come into effect on December 17, or when the state reaches the 80 per cent double dose vaccination mark.

Under the new restrictions, people who have not received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, will be unable to visit a range of businesses and locations, including but not limited to hospitality venues, festivals, residential aged care facilities, prisons, music and entertainment venues.

Those who are unvaccinated will still have access to essential retail stores – including pharmacies and clothing stores – as well as medical and public transport services.

Townsville general practitioner and business owner Dr Michael Clements said he held particular fears for children who were too young to be vaccinated against Covid-19, especially those who had undergone a transplant, were being treated for cancer, or had respiratory disorders such as cystic fibrosis.

“What we have seen elsewhere in New South Wales and Victoria, the young, fit and healthy people who did not get vaccinated brought Covid to their parents and grandparents,” Dr Clements said.

Dr Michael Clements. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“The reality is this is a pandemic; this is a nasty infection that looks for any cracks and opportunities to break through and spread, so we can’t afford to give Covid a chance.

“This is about protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.”

And while he said he understood the “frustration” the new restrictions would place on business owners and community members, he believed they were a necessary step in the fight to increase vaccination uptake.

“The concept of people doing their own ‘research’, and then to tell scientists they don’t trust them – it’s quite confusing,” he said.

“They have trusted us with every other vaccination, but not this one … it is sad people are being misled.

“We have to remember most of these fearmongering ideas come from people and groups who profit from the fear itself.”

For friends and family members who have been taken down the rabbit-hole of disinformation, and who still held doubts of the danger of Covid-19, Dr Clements said a conversation needed to be had.

“One of the first things to do is decide what information they will trust – people need to decide ‘will I trust this if it comes from an Australian scientist, or the Australian government?’

“Hopefully when people think about that, they will not believe a Facebook post from ‘someone who knows someone’.”

According to Queensland Police, non-compliant customers could be hit with a $1378 fine, while businesses found to be breaching directions could be at risk of a $6892 fine.

Originally published as Townsville business owners join Facebook group for the unvaccinated