Shire limits access after Cairns named hotspot

COVID-19 update

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Last updated:
“The police will be conducting compliance checks and you’ll need to prove to the authorities that you have good reason to enter the Douglas Shire,” says Mayor Kerr.

There will be limited access to the Douglas Shire from Cairns and police will be conducting compliance checks on the Captain Cook Highway, according to Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr.

In responding to the three-day lockdown in Cairns which began at 4.00 on Sunday afternoon, Kerr said during this period you will need to have good reason for wanting to travel to the Douglas Shire.

“If you work in the shire, or travelling from Cairns to your accommodation, you will be able to enter the shire. People wanting to take a leisurely drive to the shire from Cairns will not be permitted to do so.

“The police will be conducting compliance checks and you’ll need to prove to the authorities that you have good reason to enter the Douglas Shire,” said Kerr.

He also advised that anyone (from the shire) who had been in Cairns since 26 July and showed signs of the virus, must be tested immediately.

Kerr said people should check whether they have visited any of these sites listed on this website: Contact tracing (exposure sites) — coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

“As Cairns has now been listed as a ‘hot spot’ masks must be worn.”

Newsport reported earlier today that this follows a decision by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that Cairns and the Indigenous community in Yarrabah have been put into lockdown after an unexpected case has thrown contact tracers.



Addressing media, she said she “was very concerned” after a taxi driver was infectious in the community for 10 days and said more testing had to be done.



To book a Mossman Covid test please call the booking hotline on 1800 861 863 or book online at www.health.qld.gov.au

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit //www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing

From 4pm Sunday 8 August, the Cairns and Yarrabah Local Government Areas will go into lockdown for three days.

Chamber of Commerce hosts webinar


The Douglas Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, will host HR Dynamics for a webinar at 9am tomorrow which will be followed by a Q&A at the end of the webinar regarding the Cairns lockdown.

Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_brBzKTqmRZaX1K4QVzIqJw

Please get tested if you have even the mildest symptoms.

To access a full list of COVID-19 testing locations, with interactive map and post code search, visit www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing

Contact tracing venues can be found at Contact tracing (exposure sites) — coronavirus (COVID-19).


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