Long weekend comes to a relaxing finale
Sy and Matt Corradini from Trinity Park enjoy some fish and chips at Half Moon Bay beach yesterday on the last day of the Labour Day long weekend.
AS THE Far North celebrated a virtual Labour Day yesterday the region marked another drop in active coronavirus cases.
New Queensland Health figures show the COVID-19 tally for Cairns and Hinterland has shrunk to three active cases.
State Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the drop confirmed that “everybody seems to be getting it”.
“We are slowly moving into some positive ground,” Mr Healy said.
Queensland Health confirmed that one of the active COVID-19 cases in the Far North had recovered.
“Hopefully we will see those numbers continue south,” Mr Healy said.
There are currently 52 active cases of COVID-19 in Queensland. Of these, nine people are being treated in hospital and four of those patients are in intensive care.
To date, 980 people have recovered and six have died of the disease.
The current state total is 1038.
Bentley Park dad Judel Jeanes took advantage of eased restrictions on Labour Day to train his soccer-mad sons Dylan and Zachary.
“It was really good to get out. I ended up taking the boys out for a run and off their screens,” Mr Jeanes said. “This is the first time I was able to get them out. Because of lockdown we have tried to stay at home as much as we could.”
The disability worker said that, while the city was still subdued, the northern beaches, which he had visited as part of his work, were a different story.
“Palm Cove was packed – I would say that people were sticking to social distancing, they are trying their best.
“It was odd being outside again. I kind of liked how quiet it has been.”
Once restrictions are eased he expects to be a regular visitor to the soccer pitch.
“We will probably jump in feet first – the boys are into their soccer,” Mr Jeanes said.
“I think the majority of people are going to be sensible.”
The State Government has been watching people’s behaviour over the weekend.
It has warned a mooted staggered reopening of Queensland’s schools could depend on whether the easing of stay-at-home restrictions had an upward effect on coronavirus case numbers.
“In some ways, the restrictions that we eased this weekend will help inform that decision because the restrictions we eased … related to mobility,” Health Minister Steven Miles said. “It’s important for us to understand how that movement of people could affect the spread of the virus.”
By and large the region avoided tripping up on the weekend, with a few exceptions.
Police responded to a reported brawl at the infamous Plaza Palms unit complex at Manunda but found no trace of violence when they arrived. A 19-year-old Cairns North man was arrested after allegedly causing a fracas at a convenience store on Sheridan
IT WAS ODD BEING OUTSIDE AGAIN. I KIND OF LIKED HOW QUIET IT HAS BEEN. JUDEL JEANES
Street. It was alleged he stole a bottle of soft drink and tried to fight staff. He was charged with public nuisance and unauthorised dealing of shop goods. His court date is July 13.
Labour Day was commemorated with a virtual march on social media as restrictions prevented street rallies.
Cairns-based Senator Nita Green said this year’s Labour Day was especially important to pay homage to those working in essential services.