Covid Qld: No new Covid cases, as plea issued for new Covid roadmap

No new Covid cases have been recorded as the state government conducts a super vaccination blitz at local schools, while coming under pressure to release a new road map for when we hit 90 per cent vaccinated.

No new Covid cases have been recorded in Queensland overnight.

The Queensland Government is again hosting a super vaccination weekend at Queensland schools to boost local jab rates.

There were 8724 tests conducted in the last 24 hours and 72 per cent of Queenslanders are now fully vaccindated against Covid, while 84 per cent of the population has received one dose.

More than 100 schools are participating in this weekend’s Super Schools Vaccination blitz and Queenslanders are encouraged to attend one of the pop-up clinics around the state.

Speaking at a Covid presser at noon, Education Minister Grace Grace, flanked by three Broncos players, including Payne Haas, encouraged people to visit a school today and get the jab.

“We would like to see those vaccination numbers come up to hopefully even 90 per cent,” Ms Grace said.

“We encourage all Queenslanders right across Queensland to do the right thing.”

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: John Gass

Football star Tyson Gamble says there’s no better way to help encourage communities around Brisbane than to get vaccinated.

“It’s not as bad as you think, the worst part is the sore arm you get after the needle,” he said.

“If you want to get back to normal life it’s what we have to do.”

“They show their support to us on the field so it’s only right for us to support and give back to the community... it’s an opportunity that doesn’t really come around much but when we do, we’re all grateful for it,” he said.

Members of the team will be placed at schools to take photos and sign posters for those coming to get vaccinated.

When asked about today’s anti-vaccination protests in Brisbane CBD today, Minister Grace said Queensland’s focus remains on opening up the state and increasing vaccination rates.

“There’s all different slogans being bandied around in relation to this... We urge all Queenslanders to get vaccinated and that’s our focus.”

She said any comments distracting from Queenslanders getting vaccinated was” reckless and unwelcomed.”

Ms Grace also commented on revelations that some MPs had been subject to threats

in relation to their views on Covid-19 vaccination mandates.

“They are totally unacceptable,” she said.

“Everyone deserves to be safe at work including politicians and other members of the community... Please stop. It’s reckless.”

Ms Grace was also asked about enforcing vaccinations for school staff and education providers.

“We have not moved to mandatory vaccination... It is under active consideration.”

She again encouraged everyone to get vaccinated, including education professionals.

“At the moment we are encouraging everybody to get vaccinated,” she said.

“We want as many people to be vaccinated. What we’re saying is when we open up and Delta comes in, under the health advice, you are going to be restricted on what you can do if you are unvaccinated.”

The latest Covid information comes as, the mayor of a major regional city has called for the state government to release a road map showing how Queensland will return to normal “without segregation” when its 90 per cent double dose milestone is reached.

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey. Picture: Paul Beutel

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has penned a letter to Annastacia Palaszczuk, revealing residents were concerned about the implementation of restrictions for the unvaccinated.

“I’m hoping the government will release a road map soon, showing a return to normal living and without segregation as far as safe and possible, when Queensland reaches 90 per cent double vaccination and as booster shots likely become necessary,” he wrote.

“Many of these (concerns) have come from small business owners, worried about compliance issues with checking vaccination status and managing staff who are unvaccinated.”

A spokesman for the Premier said measures were set to be reviewed when Queensland reached 90 per cent double dose.

Cr Dempsey also took aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison following his comments this week that unvaccinated Queenslanders should be allowed to buy a coffee, saying he was concerned the state’s “shared sense of purpose” was being eroded as a federal election loomed.

It comes as thousands of people are expected to attend “freedom rallies” protesting mandatory vaccines across the state on Saturday including in Bundaberg.

Acting chief health officer Peter Aitken. Picture: Richard Walker

Queensland recorded no new locally acquired cases on Friday as it hit 72.09 per cent double dose.

Acting chief health officer Peter Aitken said the state was still expected to hit 90 per cent fully vaccinated sometime in January.

Meanwhile health authorities are considering scrapping a requirement that would force people living in NSW border communities to fork out up to $150 for a Covid-19 test.

Tests are free for anyone with symptoms however Medicare does not cover the cost for travel purposes.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles defended the requirement that would force fully vaccinated people who want to visit Queensland from an interstate hotspot from December 17 to have received a negative test result in the 72 hours prior.

Currently this includes people living in border communities who would need to travel for work or other purposes.

Dr Aitken said health authorities were considering scrapping the testing requirement while also looking at whether the test could be made free.

“We recognise that … enormous challenges for people, for police, and it’s a discussion we’re having as to ensuring that double vaccinated people have greater access,” he said.

Mr Miles urged the Commonwealth to consider making the tests eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Pressed on whether it was ridiculous to expect a family of four to fork out $600 for tests, Mr Miles said that at the moment it was difficult to come to Queensland.

“I don’t think anything in our plans here are ridiculous,” he said.

“They’re all designed to keep Queenslanders safe.”

Originally published as Covid Qld: No new Covid cases, as plea issued for new Covid roadmap