TIME FOR A FLIGHTPATH BACK TO BUSINESS

WE started with a roadmap, now it’s time for a flightpath to Queensland’s emergence from the Covid crisis. The state is inching close to the target of 90 per cent of over-16s fully vaccinated. That is an amazing achievement given the sluggish start to the jab rollout with poor supply of vaccines nationwide and a genuine reluctance to get protected against a virus that hadn’t previously taken hold here.

But it’s especially notable because 90 per cent vaccination was where Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk set the bar for an important next step of Queensland’s easing of restrictions.

After moving early on the removal of border restrictions for domestic tourists last week, we’re now at the step of an easing of restrictions for international arrivals.

This next stage means vaccinated Aussies can return home to Cairns from overseas trips without needing to quarantine.

The only possible spanner in the works is the fact that the spread of Omicron might dampen enthusiasm to travel and hinder the ability of airlines to crew some planes.

But it will still be an important milestone on our journey out of pandemic hardships.

We got vaccinated in our thousands so that life – particularly freedom to travel and opportunities to earn – would then return to normal.

The next step for the federal government, and of keen interest to the Far North, is allowing tourists from all over the world to again visit.

Restoring our own freedom to travel is an improvement to our quality of life.

Allowing foreign tourists to travel to the Far North, which once thrived on planeloads of international visitors, would make a significant difference to so many livelihoods.