‘It’s time to normalise this’: CHO and businesses ready for way out

Queensland’s health experts and businesses are finally on the same page, calling for the state to normalise a life with Covid, as Victoria fast-tracks its own route out of lockdowns and NSW enjoys “Freedom Day 2.0”.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles has blasted New South Wales for “going rogue”, accusing the southern state of ignoring health advice and abandoning the national Covid crisis plan.

As Queensland recorded its 12th consecutive day of no community transmission on Sunday, Mr Miles said that the state government remained committed to the national plan, unlike New South Wales who have “torn it up”.

New South Wales announced it would officially shake off it’s Commonwealth hotspot status at midnight on Monday morning after hitting the 80 per cent double dose target.

NSW recorded another 265 cases and five deaths on the first day of new freedoms following the state hitting the target, while Victoria recorded 1903 new locally acquired cases as it prepares to emerge from lockdown later this week.

Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria will emerge from lockdown on 11.59pm on Thursday night with the state expected to hit its 70 per cent double vaccination rate by then.

It comes as chief health minister Jeannette Young announced to it was time for Queenslanders to “normalise” the virus despite the state government failing to set a target to reopen borders and leaving Christmas hanging in limbo.

“We need to regain our full lives again,” she said.

“We have done so well … but it’s time for us to normalise this.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. Picture: Richard Walker

Dr Young’s comments come as frustrated businesses operate in the dark in the lead up to peak holiday season.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland revealed to The Courier-Mailthat they have been calling for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to release a goalpost for businesses to plan around for over a month.

“Without that the business confidence is really to take big hit heading into Christmas,” said General Manager of CCIQ Amanda Rohan.

“This uncertainty has been going on for way too long,” she said.

“Let’s set a target for Queensland to know what the future is going to look like.”

Director of Infectious Diseases Paul Griffin said it was time to “recalibrate people’s expectations” about what the state is going to look like moving forward.

He said that although cases will soon be “everywhere” throughout Queensland, it was important to note they were not necessarily the metric to react to.

“It’s more about severe disease and health care capacity and all the things we know the vaccine is the key to keeping it under control,” he said.

“We need to be prepared.”

Associate Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious disease expert, getting his AstraZeneca vaccine at the Mater Hospital. Pic Annette Dew

Managing Director of Corporate Travel Management Jamie Pherus agreed, stating that the sooner Queensland reaches 80 per cent vaccination rates, “the better”.

“This is where all the energy and focus needs to be so that we can rejoin the national and global economy,” he said.

More than 4100 people were vaccinated at Bunnings Warehouse on Saturday while 56 per cent of Queenslanders are now fully vaccinated.

“The sooner we can get Queenslanders vaccinated the sooner we can adjust restrictions,” said Mr Miles.

He predicted that as the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination targets were reached, restrictions would be released.

Originally published as ‘It’s time to normalise this’: CHO and businesses ready for way out