Moreton Bay declares it is open as COVID-19 essential travel restrictions ease
COVID-19 restrictions are set to ease this long weekend and one region – less than 50km from Ipswich, Logan, Brisbane and Redlands wants everyone to drop by.
Moreton
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This Labour Day weekend people will be allowed to venture up to 50km away from their homes for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
For weeks families have been stuck indoors, confined to their suburbs permitted to only travel to access essential services – in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.
With signs the spread is easing the State Government announced restrictions would be relaxed from Saturday.
Residents will be permitted to travel up to 50km from their home, enjoy a seaside picnic, a walk in a national park or recreational boating.
Strict social distancing rules remain and people are only permitted to congregate with members from their household and one other person.
Businesses in the Moreton Bay Region, like many others, have suffered not only from the new restrictions placed on them, but from the lack of day trippers to the region.
With Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism forced to cancel all of its major events this year – business owners are keen to get any extra foot traffic they can.
To encourage people to venture to the region MBRIT have launched an online search portal – allowing people to find attractions within 50km of their front door.
Cleveland residents can visit Margate Beach or Red Beach on Bribie Island.
Those from Logan could go mountain biking in Bunyaville State Forest or for a walk to Jolly’s Lookout at Mt Neebo.
Ipswich residents could come and check out D’Aguilar National Park and Wynnum residents could explore Bribie Island or the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said all you had to do was enter your postcode.
“It takes all the hassle out of knowing where you can go and what you can do in the Moreton Bay Region from midnight Friday 1 May,” Cr Flannery said.
“So this long weekend do go chasing waterfalls, don’t stick to the kitchen table you’ve become used to.
“Our #MoretonBayTough campaign has showcased just how resilient our local businesses are. They’ve adapted and evolved to keep trading through this pandemic, now all we need is your support.
“Please jump in your car for a coffee this weekend and support our local economy, it’s guaranteed to be the best weekend you’ve had in a long time.”
The state government has announced extra police will be out on the beat to enforce social distancing rules.
Mayor Flannery said he was confident locals and visitors would show the common-sense required to make the relaxed arrangements work.
“Police have actually praised locals for being some of the best in the country for abiding by social distancing restrictions,” he said.
“It’s how we’ve manage to limit the number of locally acquired cases to just 11, despite Moreton Bay Region being the third most populous Council area in the whole country.
“We’ve had no crowding at our beaches or in parks, and now as a reward we can all enjoy some relief from stay-at-home rules.
“I honestly couldn’t be prouder of my community right now, and our amazing local businesses not only deserve your support – they also need it right now.”
To find out what’s within 50km of you, visit visitmoretonbayregion.com.au/50km
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