Gold Coast Covid: Anti-vaxxers turn to prayer instead of protest
Forget protests, anti-vaxxers have turned to prayer on the Gold Coast as Queensland's vaccination mandate looms. DETAILS
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Almost 100 worshippers gathered at Broadbeach to pray away Queensland’s contentious vaccine mandate, which comes into place on December 17.
The ‘Prayer at the beach for all event’ took place on Thursday morning and was organised by several local churches.
“There were (two) speeches and reading of the Bible,” attendee Annemarie Du Preez said.
“There were also random people praying and people blowing on horns.”An advertisement for the event stated:
“If nothing changes we are soon divided. Whether you pray a lot or not, come and stand together united.”
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said both unvaccinated and vaccinated people would be allowed to attend churches and places of worship after December 17.
Churches are still subject to occupant density limits however, and must have a Covid-safe checklist, and are required to collect contact information.
Earlier - Coast university reveals Covid-19 vaccination mandate
A GOLD Coast university has revealed it will mandate Covid-19 vaccinations for all students and staff, who will have to pay to be tested regularly if they choose to forego the jab.
Griffith University is the first major higher education provider in Queensland to forge ahead with a mandate.
The university revealed the “mandatory vaccination or testing policy” would be in place from early next year.
“The policy, which will come into place from mid-February, two weeks before the start of Trimester One, will mean that all staff and students will have to be fully vaccinated or undertake a regular regime of Covid testing at their own expense,” a statement read.
A university spokesperson said the policy was intended to support the health and safety of the university community.
“Our priority is to keep everyone at our university safe and we know that vaccination is the best way to do that,” they said.
“We understand that some people may not feel that vaccination is right for them so we will ask them to undertake a regime of Covid testing that will ensure everyone is as safe as possible.”
If universities are included in a state government public health order the regular testing regime would not be an option, the university stated.
“Having students and staff return to our campuses, including international students, in a Covid normal way is very important for us and we believe this policy is the best way to achieve that,” the spokesperson said.
“We have consulted with our staff and students and the majority support this move.
“We will continue to keep them informed as we work through the implementation of this policy and look forward to 2022 being as safe as it can possibly be on our campuses.”
The move comes after the Coast lost the majority of its 32,000 international students when borders were slammed shut earlier in the coronavirus pandemic.
In November, the Bulletin reported peak education bosses in the city were working on sister-city relationships and with global powerhouses to rebuild the $2 billion-a-year international sector.
Coast urged to lift lagging vax rate ahead of reopening
Earlier: Queensland has hit its 80 per cent double-dose Covid-19 vaccination milestone – but the Gold Coast is lagging behind.
On Thursday morning, Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced a “double doughnut day” with no new local or overseas acquired Covid-19 cases.
He congratulated Queensland residents on the vaccination milestone – but outed the Coast as one area where rates needed to lift before the borders reopen on Monday, December 13.
Mr Miles said on the Coast only 76.5 per cent of eligible residents were double-dosed and he urged the city to work to boost the rate, which is less than other local government areas
Mr Miles said it was a “historic day” for Queensland.
“It’s 680 days since Covid first arrived here in Queensland. Since we first declared a public health emergency,” he said.
Mr Miles said the vaccination rate was “still a little bit patchy across the state”.
He also announced construction on a facility at Northshore Hamilton for biotech company Vaxxas to develop a vaccine which can be administered without a needle.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a statement it was “a great day for Queensland” four days ahead of the state easing border restrictions.
“Very few places in the world have got to this level of protection before a Covid-19 wave arrives,” she said.
“The credit for this belongs to each and every Queenslander.
“But we can’t stop here. Let’s get to 90% and beyond.”
It comes after new coronavirus exposure sites were named on the Coast – Bunnings at Nerang on December 2 between 11.45am-12.07pm, and Target at Coomera on December 3, between 8am-8.50am.
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