Surfers Paradise hospitality, accommodation operators still feeling mandate effects
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has dumped the controversial PCR tests for travellers entering Queensland in a big win for tourists as the federal government defends the lack of available tests.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has dumped the controversial PCR tests for travellers entering Queensland.
The Premier said in a tweet on Wednesday morning that Queensland would now accept rapid antigen tests.
“From January 1, travellers into Qld from interstate hotspots can use a negative Rapid Antigen Test to satisfy border pass requirements,” she said.
“A PCR test will no longer be required. More details in our morning media conference.”
But the decisions has already drawn fire from the federal government, with Gold Coast-based Employment Minister Stuart Robert slamming the three-day wait.
From January 1, travellers into Qld from interstate hotspots can use a negative Rapid Antigen Test to satisfy border pass requirements. A PCR test will no longer be required. More details in our morning media conference.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 28, 2021
“There is absolutely nothing stopping the Premier from enacting this from today,” he tweeted. “They made it immediate for the day 5 test. Why wait another 3 days for this to kick in?”
Mr Robert appeared on the Nine Network’s Today Show on Wednesday and was asked why rapid antigen tests were both in such short supply and were not free as they are in other countries.
The Coalition MP defended the federal government’s handling of the issue, insisting that testing was not recommended for interstate tourism travel.
“Right now, the medical advice says we should not be testing for interstate travelers which is what the problem is, particularly in Queensland.
“We should follow the health advice, we’ve spent two years following the health and the nation has done better than most other nations on earth.
“We are waiting on further health advice on testing.”
Operators: ‘Ditch requirements’ for improved economy
Accommodation and hospitality operators expect “phones to be ringing off the hook” following the state government’s decision to ditch the strict Covid testing regime on travellers.
Now they want all restrictions lifted so the city can get back to pre-Covid domestic levels and claw back some of the $4bn lost in the pandemic.
Paradise Resort general manager David Brook said the requirements and “five-day testing had really pushed a lot of people’s patience and we are thrilled that it’s now over”.
“It’s fantastic news and we can now expect the phones to be ringing off the hook with more people wanting to make holiday bookings.”
However, he said he had received calls from a number of “distressed” holiday-makers, some of whom were “in tears over the pressure” to have all requirements in order for their stay in Queensland.
“It’s been a total debacle. The gates are open and the horse has already bolted so in my opinion it’s time to let it all go (the requirements).
“We’ve had a number of people postpone or cancel their trip from interstate airports over scrambling to get their positive test result in time for their flight.
“But it is busy and we are very grateful for that. The truth is if we don’t make money now we won’t be here next year.”
Salty’s on Cavill co-owner Jake Vigor said it was time to give people the “opportunity to go back to living somewhat normal lives”.
“What I’d love is for everyone to come back into the venue – vaxxed or unvaxxed. I know it’s a priority for the government right now and we are following the rules but I hope it all changes soon.
“The current influx is good but what we need is for everyone to be involved regardless of their vaccination status. Imagine what the economy could be like again if we got rid of all the requirements.”
Mr Vigor said he attributed an underwhelming trade volume to state government requirements and five-day mandatory testing queues where “people were spending most of their holiday lining up.”
“It will definitely alleviate concerns for us and now we can really expect trade to ramp up in the new year.”
“Trade has been busier since the border reopened but we still aren’t seeing the levels we would like compared to last year.”
He said the mandates had been “incredibly tough” on his business and claimed police were coming into his restaurant to “hassle customers” not just on their vaccine status.
“We’ve had police in here questioning diners just based on the way they look,” he said.
“There was one instance where police came during a busy service and searched a group of two men because they had tattoos.”
DECEMBER 28
Interstate travellers were literally jumping for joy in Surfers Paradise Tuesday morning as Health Minister Yvette D’Ath nixed mandatory five day testing requirements.
A swathe of tourists queuing up at the testing clinic broke ranks from the long line on Ferny Ave minutes after the announcement was made.
“Now I can just enjoy myself without the need to worry about getting all these tests,” one said.
However, another person stated they “didn’t trust a single word that came out of the Palaszczuk’s government’s mouth” and would remain in the line because of “misinformation”.
The traveller said: “We never know the full story, these press conferences always seem to leave one piece of key information out that gets us all in the s***t.”
Several other naysayers decided to remain in line and asked The Bulletin to prove the announcement.
Canberra-based GP Mehdi Mojtabaie said he was thrilled he didn’t have to “waste his holiday any longer” in a testing queue.
He said if he found out he had Covid-19 it would mean he would have to stay at the Meriton for another two weeks.
New South Wales resident Michelle Zombos said she carted her family all the way from Coomera to Surfers Paradise because other testing facilities were closed.
“The requirements have been tough on people just trying to enjoy their holiday and we are thrilled that we no longer have to do it (five-day testing).
Owen Scott, from Canberra, said it was a “massive relief” they didn’t have to wait in line and could now “spend their holiday doing something better than standing around.”
This comes as testing clinics around the Gold Coast were flooded, prior to the cancellation of day five testing for interstate travellers.
Testing clinics in the Coast’s northern suburbs had significantly shorter wait times, according to social media, while those in holiday hot spots are queuing in the weather for tests.
Other tourists reported driving to Logan for tests due to the long wait times.
One woman who lined up at Helensvale from 4.30am managed to get a test by 8.30am, and said pre-dawn the line was “out the gate and far down the road as (she could) see.”
Hundreds of cars are snaked around Westfield Helensvale car park Covid testing station, with cars queued alongside the train station and backed up on the Gold Coast Highway close to Country Club Drive.
One driver moved five car length in 20 minutes, and estimates the wait is between three to four hours.
The person, who did not want to be named, said there were inadequate testing capabilities in the northern Gold Coast with all private and respiratory clinics closed due to the delayed Boxing Day public holiday.
“It’s ridiculous how few testing clinics there are north of Southport. Again, Queensland Health are on the back foot, surely it knew there’d be a spike in people wanting or needing to get tested. More clinics are needed immediately.”
“Plenty of cars have pulled out, I wonder how many have Covid but don’t have the patience to wait for hours to get tested.”
Those waiting for a Covid test at the Westfield Helensvale car park waited 1.5 hours in their cars only to reach the entry point and be turned away by security.
“It was about 11.30 by the time I reached the entry to the testing station, after waiting since about 10am, only to be told it shut at 12pm and there was room for anyone else,” one person waiting for a test said.
“How slack is that, closing a testing station at noon during the middle of a global pandemic – what a disgrace.”
The person was told to attend other clinics at Gold Coast University Hospital or line up at Helensvale at 4am tomorrow to ensure a test was available.
--Another person waiting for a test at the Sullivan Nicholades at Upper Coomera said they queued at 6.30am and were told around two hours later by a traffic controller there was a problem and the clinic was closed.
“I went to several different sites yesterday to get a test (instructed by work) and most of them had either reached their capacity or were closed. I live Northern End of GC and ended up at Bond Uni getting a test. Approx 2.5 hour wait,” one man said.
Punters on social media are actively encouraging others to cheat a lax system they say isn’t policed by authorities as well.
“I’m sorry to say but this 72 hours business is such nerve racking rubbish. Plus the holidays with most testing places are closed, wake. Wake up and scrap all this nonsense,” one commenter said.
“Two weeks ago the Premier was quoting how many applications (thousands) to enter Queensland had been received; last week she was telling is her government had been preparing for this – yet now no one could have anticipated these numbers. Is she for real,” questioned another.
“We’re probably going to cancel our holiday to Coolangatta as it looks like it’s not possible to get a test done and back within 72 hours,” said one disappointed would-be holiday maker.
Others questioned the necessity of the day five test, especially over the Christmas period.
“My parents have been to multiple difference testing places only to be turned away or told they can’t take any more. Such a joke when you make interstate travellers also test on day (five) causing length delays,” one commenter said.
“So many people spending half days or more Christmas Day with young children lining up at clinics. I saw people I know in line for 6 hours today at least 4 of which with no shade. It’s unacceptable,” another said.
“You would think with the demands of all this testing the government is demanding they would have more testing sites. At this rate you may test negative, but may have caught it waiting to get tested,”.
“My son and his partner were deemed close contacts on the afternoon of the 23rd. They were turned away from four testing sites due to capacity limits on that afternoon.
“They lined up at 5.45am on the 24th and were tested at 8.30am. Their negative result came through after 50 hours. They missed family events on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only to find via the government app that the hotel they had attended had been downgraded at some stage and was no longer considered a close contact venue,” wrote another commenter.
Have you had a holiday nightmare or a Covid-19 test queue shocker? Email our reporter Navarone Farrell at navarone.farrell@news.com.au.
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