Gold Coast suburbs called out for lagging behind with COVID vaccine uptake - ABC News

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has singled out the Gold Coast suburbs lagging behind Queensland's vaccination average, calling on them to pick up the pace as the state inches towards the 80 per cent 'silver bullet' that will see restrictions further eased.

Key points:

• Easing of restrictions begins from 5pm with some people able to fly into Queensland
• The Premier says the Gold Coast is not protected from COVID, urging more to get vaccinated
• She says certain suburbs in the city are below the state's 78.8 per cent average

In a press conference on the Gold Coast on Monday, Ms Palaszczuk announced people in interstate hotspots could apply online to travel to Queensland and quarantine at home from 5pm on November 15 if they met certain criteria.

But she said she was concerned by the city's vaccination rate, which was well below the state average of first dose at 78.8 per cent, and fully vaccinated at 67.2 per cent as of Monday.

"The Gold Coast is not ready at this stage," she said, urging Gold Coasters to lift their game.

How to enter Queensland as the border loosens

Queensland will open its border to some fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hotspots from 5:00pm today, but there are a number of criteria to meet for those wanting to enter the Sunshine state, including home quarantine.

Read more

"… some of the suburbs we really need to see an increase in vaccinations include Coomera, Pimpama, Gaven, Lower Beechmont, Natural Bridge, so we really need to see some of those areas come out and get vaccinated," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Make no mistake, this is close to the border and when we get to that 80 per cent double dose, there is going to be a lot more people coming here.

"They're going to be coming here to see their friends and family and to enjoy their Christmas holidays, so we need to protect the Gold Coast. 

"I need more people to come and get vaccinated."

Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from November 15 with a look back at our blog.

Outdoor lifestyle stifling uptake

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the lack of COVID outbreaks on the Gold Coast was contributing to the slow uptake in some areas.

"Because there is no local transmission, not making excuses, but I think the outdoor lifestyle, COVID hasn't survived very well," he said.

"If you're going to get the vaccination then please get it now because that helps the livelihood of businesses, especially in the southern part of our city.

"But, it's human rights, if they don't want to vaccinate, then I say: 'OK, just wear your mask and do your best, but you've been warned'."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTExLTE1L2dvbGQtY29hc3Qtc3VidXJicy1jYWxsZWQtb3V0LWZvci1sYWdnaW5nLWJlaGluZC1jb3ZpZC12YWNjaW5lLzEwMDYyMTk4MtIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDA2MjE5ODI?oc=5

2021-11-15 06:17:11Z
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