Residents agree it’s time to ‘massively reduce’ overseas arrivals

Many readers agree with the country’s politicians that one effective way to reduce the number of growing Covid-19 cases is to reduce the number of international flights.

Toowoomba residents agree that the number of international arrivals coming into Queensland must be “massively reduced”.

It comes after a warning this week from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, where she said the state would be plunged into further lockdowns if it didn’t happen.

It supported a similar call from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews who claimed “thousands” of international arrivals potentially carrying contagious strains of Covid-19 were burdening the hotel quarantine system and putting others at risk.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the number of international arrivals should be “dramatically cut” until more dedicated quarantine facilities were built and a larger slice of the population was vaccinated.

The Chronicle asked its Facebook followers if they thought international arrivals should be reduced and the answer from hundreds was a resounding “yes.”

Many readers agreed with the country’s politicians that one effective way to reduce the number of growing Covid-19 cases was to reduce the number of international flights.

Kent Cropper said: “Yes, we shouldn’t let international flyers in, it’ll just get worse.”

Sarah Read said: “We should have none at all until the pandemic is over … the reason we keep getting more, is we keep letting people in.”

Helen Grant said: “Nobody in unless they have been locked down for a month before coming here.”

Roslyn Richter said: “Yes they have had plenty of time to get back.”

There were some people who thought only returning citizens should be allowed back in at the moment.

Dean Gough said: “Not our returning citizens, they shouldn’t be reduced. The rest, I don’t care.”

Graham Thompson agreed, and said: “Business trips and the wealthy leaving and returning are just taking valuable places that could be used to bring back those Aussies genuinely stuck.”

Debbie McGlinn said there should be very few expectations for people being allowed back in the country.

“Unless you are returning for compassionate reasons only, (such as) a parent, sibling or child dying otherwise slam the doors shut.”