Covid fears prompt calls for strict island ferry mask mandate to be enforced

Infuriated bay island residents, who have boycotted using the public ferries for fear of catching Covid, have threatened to blockade four island ferry terminals until police patrol a mask mandate. WATCH THE VIDEO

Infuriated bay island residents, who have boycotted using the public ferries for fear of catching Covid, have threatened to blockade four island ferry terminals until police patrol a mask mandate.

The threats followed complaints from island residents who claimed elderly and infirm were at risk because police were not enforcing a state government mask mandate on ferries and barges.

Bay island truckie Michael Thompson, who copped a stiff 12-month ban from using the island ferries last year after a potty-mouthed rant over wearing a mask, took to Facebook to slam the ferry operator for not continuing its hard-line stance on masks.

The 40-year-old father of seven, was hit with a $130-on-the-spot fine after the incident on a SeaLink passenger ferry in January last year, during a Covid-19 outbreak.

SeaLink, which also operates the island barges, came under fire on Thursday after notifying island residents barge fares will go up in September which it will cost $75 for a car.

For island residents, the barge ticket price will rise from $58 to $62.

Michael Thompson took to Facebook to highlight the hypocrisy of the lack of patrolling of masks on public ferries after he was fined last year.

“Make sure the SeaLink staff wear their masks at all times for the next 10 days all day,” he said on Facebook this week.

SeaLink did not comment but TransLink said it was up to police and not the ferry operator to patrol the mask mandate on water taxis, barges, ferries and water buses.

Queensland police said they were “working with the public” but refused to give numbers of fines issued.

“The QPS also continues to work with its partners in the public transport network regarding compliance with mask wearing requirements.”

Mr Thompson’s online comments were echoed by Macleay Island resident Gayle Nemeth, who said she was angry with the lack of police action to enforce masks on public transport.

Macleay Island resident Gayle Nemeth said island elderly and infirm were vulnerable and ferry users should be wearing masks on public transport.

“I watched the water bus pull in at the Macleay Island ferry terminal and police were there for 47 minutes watching people get on with no masks and watching others get off with no mask.

“Police did nothing and no one has been fined and no one is wearing masks on these boats.

“The island population is elderly and these frail people who need to travel to the mainland to see their doctors, need protection and nothing is being done.

“If the government wants people to use public transport, they need to make it safe.

“It’s so hypocritical as a year ago people were scared of being fined for standing too close to someone on the beach.

“Now, during the most deadly outbreak we have had, the authorities are doing nothing.”

Ms Nemeth filed a complaint to Queensland Police Service claiming the police lack of action was putting lives at risk.

SeaLink has been accused of not patrolling the state mask mandate on bay island ferries.

Her complaint came ahead of the state revealing its highest death toll from Covid-19 of 27 fatalities in the latest reporting period.

Officer-in-charge of Macleay Island police station sergeant Nathan Burnett was unavailable for comment.

Residents with boats have threatened to block ferry terminals on the islands until the mask rule is enforced.

Under the state directive, issued in December, police can issue on-the-spot fines of $1378 for an individual and $6892 for corporations.

The fine for not wearing a mask can range from $206. AAP Image: David Mariuz

A court can also impose penalties of up to $13,785 or six months’ imprisonment.

A person who refuses a police direction to wear a face mask, can be issued an on-the-spot fine of $206.

Queensland Health refused to comment on how many people had broke the mandate on the ferries but said a mask must cover a person’s nose and mouth at all times when the person is on, or waiting at, public transport.

People must wear masks while waiting for ferries at the Redland Bay Marina and at the terminals on all bay islands.