Queensland records no new local Covid cases and health workers suspended for refusing Covid jab

About 4000 of Queensland’s health workers have been suspended for refusing to get the Covid jab as the sector’s vaccine mandate comes into effect today. It comes after no new Covid cases in the past 24 hours.

About 4000 health workers have been suspended for refusing to get the Covid jab with the sector’s vaccine mandate coming into effect today.

Queensland recorded no new locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, with one detected in hotel quarantine and acquired overseas. The infected person came from the Ukraine.

A total of 77.6 per cent of Queenslanders have had their first dose of the Covid vaccine while 63.87 per cent are fully vaccinated.

There were 3399 doses administered at surf club and tourist vaccination centres over the long weekend.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said today the Covid vaccine became mandatory for the state’s health workers.

She said one in ten Queensland Health workers are yet to be vaccinated.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: Dan Peled

“There are 7000 health workers who have not come forward saying they are vaccinated, but 3000 of those are on leave (long service or maternity leave).

“There are 4000 who have not been vaccinated and will be given their show cause and will be suspended with full pay.

“There will be some disruptions, but we are managing those disruptions … we have been planning for this.”

Deputy Commissioner Steven Gollschewski said rideshare driver Duran Raman who tested positive on the Gold Coast after travelling interstate had been fined $4,000 for his border breach.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Steven Miles paid tribute to chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young, who will be sworn in as governor today.

He said today was a historic day for Queensland.

“For the first time Queensland has a female Premier, Governor and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Addressing questions about Queensland’s December 17 deadline for 80 per cent of the population to be fully vaccinated, Ms D’Ath said things were looking good, but reasserted the need for people to keep coming forward to get the jab.

“We’re certainly on track and looking great,” she said.

Queenslanders wanting to be fully vaccinated by December 17 need to get their first jab by November 19, Ms D’Ath said.

“It’s in the hands of Queenslanders,” she said.

She said reaching the 90 per cent mark is up to Queenslanders.

“There is no reason for people to delay being vaccinated.”

“If people want to get to that 90 per cent mark in four weeks then they need to come out and get vaccinated.”

Ms D’Ath said in terms of opening up to international travel, NSW and Victoria were different to other states and territories because they were dealing with major Covid outbreaks.

“It’s in effect a bit simpler when you’ve got 1500-plus cases every day to say it’s okay to let people in from overseas with the virus because we’ve already got this virus spreading throughout our community,” she said.

“It is a bit different when you don’t have the virus spreading throughout your community. We have 13 active cases.”

Ms D’Ath said the lifting of all restrictions in the future will have to operate on the basis that there is still testing, isolating and tracing.

“You can have the best protection that you can, by having your first dose today … it’s as simple as this, go get vaccinated now.”

Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken said Dr Young has done a great job and will continue to hold the direction she has established.

“Business as usual as fast as we can until 90 per cent,” he said.

Originally published as Queensland records no new local Covid cases and health workers suspended for refusing Covid jab