Voters take precautions at early voting centres amid the escalating coronavirus crisis

People are turning up to pre poll centres in masks and gloves as early voting in the Moreton Bay Council election began today.

Candidates and volunteers were in good spirits at the pre poll centre at Deception Bay on March 16. Photo David Alexander

PEOPLE are turning up to pre poll centres in masks and gloves as early voting in the Moreton Bay Council election began today.

As fears escalate of a widespread coronavirus outbreak, more and more people are looking to avoid voting on election day on March 28.

Estimates suggest that about 900 people will vote early at each pre poll centre across the region each day between now and the election.

The number of postal voting applications has also soared, with reports of 1000 postal vote applications coming in per hour, in Moreton Bay alone.

At the Deception Bay pre poll centre, some voters arrived wearing masks, gloves or both.

One candidate said that for the most part, voters had avoided going near candidates and volunteers working outside the centres.

Mayor candidate Chris Thompson over the weekend made the decision to not have any supporters at pre poll centres handing out How-to-Vote cards.

Mayor candidate Chris Thompson has up a box of pamphlets in lieu of volunteers at all Moreton Bay early voting centres. Photo David Alexander

He said he made the decision after two of his volunteers, both in their late 70s, pulled out due to fears of coronavirus.

In their place, he has put up signage and placed a box of his flyers asking people to “Please take one”.

Other candidates have also expressed concern about their volunteers, many of whom are elderly, being out at early voting centres.

The Electoral Commission Queensland has also extended early voting hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and also opened early voting on Saturdays.

As of Monday 4pm, 344 people across the country have tested positive to the coronavirus, five people have died and 23 are recovering in isolation.