‘Let it spread’: Gold Coast Mayor’s wild Covid-19 call

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for all restrictions to be scrapped for vaccinated residents, saying Covid should be treated like the flu.

A Queensland mayor has lashed out at the increased Covid-19 restrictions across the state, calling for the rules to be scrapped for vaccinated residents and to let the virus spread.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has questioned why the state government doesn’t just let Covid-19 spread freely so Queensland’s outbreak can reach it’s peak sooner.

“The chief health officer has publicly stated that an open-border approach is the best way to tackle the virus – by letting it run its course,” he wrote for the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“So why is the state now changing community restrictions on a near daily basis?

“The state claims it is all about slowing the spread. Why not let it spread rapidly so we reach the peak sooner, and our economy gets off life support faster?”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Nigel Hallett

On Sunday, Queensland confirmed 18,000 new Covid cases, a huge spike from the 11,174 infections recorded the day before.

But, despite the surging infections, Mr Tate still believes there are too many restrictions in place for fully vaccinated residents.

“At the heart of this community angst is the ever-changing rules and regulations surrounding Covid-19,” he said.

“I know many double and triple vaccinated residents who are now questioning where their supposed freedom went.”

He said the approach being taken by the Queensland government “destroys the goodwill” of those who are fully vaccinated and gives the “unvaccinated an air of authority and self-righteousness”.

On January 2, new restrictions were introduced across Queensland requiring masks to be worn in all indoor settings, apart from in the home.

Elective surgeries have also been suspended statewide until March.

There are also restrictions in place for gatherings at private residences, with a limit of 100 visiting a household.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the start of the school year would be delayed to February 7. Picture: Liam Kidston

Anyone wishing to enter Queensland from a Covid hotspot must still provide a negative Rapid Antigen Test or PCR test taken in the 72 hours prior to entering the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Sunday that the start school year would be delayed due to the rising Covid cases.

Ms Palaszczuk said the state was expected to reach its peak number of cases by the end of the month and early February.

“It is not desirable to have our children back starting school during the peak of this wave,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Queensland will be facing its biggest test over the next four weeks … it is sensible and logical to delay the start of the school year so children can be safe and get vaccinated.

“This wave is going to get worse, not better.”

The start of the school year will now be moved from January 24 to February 7, with Year 11 and 12 students to begin remote learning on January 31.

Mr Tate said it was time for the government to start treating Covid-19 like the flu.

“My message is: stop changing the rules, Covid is here … let’s deal with it as we would the influenza,” the Gold Coast Mayor said.

“Throughout 2019, five people a week died from the flu yet governments didn’t mandate business closures and deny children their education.”

Residents wait in the Covid testing queue next to the Gold Coast University Hospital at Parkwood. Picture: Mike Batterham

He also pointed out that delaying elective surgery and continuing with tough restrictions could have deadly ramifications.

“My steadfast message to all leaders is: scrap the pre-travel RAT requirement for tourists entering any state (if they are double vaccinated let them in); this will end the waste of precious tests on healthy people,” Mr Tate said.

“Get hold of every available Rapid Antigen Test and get them in the hands of small business owners so their staff can get back to work. Get vaccinated if you haven’t already.

“And open the international borders to welcome anyone that has double vaccination status and ideally, a booster shot.”

Mr Tate’s call for restrictions to be scrapped comes as chief health officer Dr John Gerrard revealed many of the state’s cases appeared to be circulating in the Gold Coast region.

“It looks like at the moment the surge is probably occurring on the Gold Coast,” Dr Gerrard said on Monday.

“It’s not surprising given the sheer number of interstate visitors which would have caused seeding events to occur particularly in this area because we know of a lot of travellers are going to that region.”