School cancels trip due to virus

AT LEAST one Cairns school has cancelled a class trip to Europe as travel restrictions to Italy take effect.

It is understood a Cairns State High School trip was cancelled in accordance with a “regional office directive”.

Visitors from Italy will be banned from Australia as the government steps up efforts to protect the country from coronavirus.

The Italy measure joins bans already in place for visitors from China, Iran and South Korea.

“I think that it is important not to overstate this,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“Italy itself has effectively put itself into lockdown with travel now, and this largely closes that loop.”

Kewarra Beach residents Ian and Carolyn Gregg have returned home after two weeks of quarantine in Darwin.

“There no place like home. We have been busy catching up on appointments and the family,” Ms Gregg said.

“Ian and l have our medical clearance form, so we know we are not a threat to Cairns.”

Ms Gregg’s belated retirement celebration is expected to be held next Friday at the Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary.

The Greggs were passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship which was quarantined at Yokohama, Japan, before passengers were evacuated.

Those infected with the Covid-19 virus were taken to isolation wards in Japanese hospitals.

The virus is causing “nervous tension” in the Cairns business community, with increasing concern over what to do if staff self-isolate.

“It is more complicated than you would think,” Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said.

“Do staff access holiday pay or sick pay? We are referring companies and staff to their industry bodies …

“Some pharmacies are putting bans on their reps so they are doing zero travel. Travelling reps are huge business for hotels and restaurants.”

The Department of Education has been asked for comment.