ONE LUMP OR TWO?
THE border is closed, kids cannot go to school and thousands have lost their jobs. That didn’t stop this group from flouting the social distancing laws for a coffee break at Burleigh Headland yesterday morning. The photo, taken by a furious resident, drew an angry response from online readers and the police, who are looking into the matter.
POLICE are reviewing photos of a large group, dressed in active wear, flouting social distancing rules as they gathered to drink coffee on Burleigh Hill.
Officers are also looking into another incident caught on camera that shows a separate group of young women gathered at Point Danger for a picnic and drinking, clearly breaching social distancing policy as they huddle together to take photos.
The photos have come to light as police threaten to come down hard on anyone caught breaching any of the rules this long weekend, as the state winds back some of the strict policies that have seen Gold Coasters all but confined to their homes.
As of yesterday there were only 13 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the space of a week – two on the Gold Coast.
There have been 192 cases confirmed in the city.
Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler confirmed police were reviewing the photographs.
“The images showing what appear to be blatant breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directive are very disappointing and are being reviewed by the Queensland Police Service,” Supt Wheeler said.
“The people depicted have jeopardised their own safety and the safety of the wider community by their actions.
“Police in the Gold Coast district are working incredibly hard to ensure Queensland Health directives, including social distancing, are being followed, however we cannot be on every street corner, in every park and on every square metre of beach to ensure every person is acting responsibly.”
He said changes to restrictions this weekend were not a free pass for people to be “reckless”.
“The upcoming change in directives this Saturday morning does not lift restrictions for public gatherings or social distancing and certainly is not a free pass to behave recklessly.
“Police presence will be increased over the long weekend and we will continue to engage and communicate with members of the public, however will take enforcement action for blatant or reckless breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directives, which are in place to keep the community safe.”
Health Minister Steven Miles said what happened in coming days would have an impact on future restrictions.
“All this good work could be ruined if people start to go silly,” he said.
“I’m pleading with Queenslanders, don’t get together in big groups outside of your household and don’t ignore the 1.5 metre rule. I know it’s going to make for some awkward selfies but it’s worth it.
“The Premier has made it very clear that if we see a spike in cases we will have to tighten restrictions again.”
Head of the Gold Coast Medical Association Dr Philip Morris said people should not be so ready to put themselves and others at risk.
“They have been told we are managing the curve and doing it well, which means some are becoming overconfident,” he said.
“We could easily get a breakout if we don’t continue to be serious about the reduction and managing hygiene.
“Although there is light at the end of the tunnel, we need to be cautious.
“These people have gone far beyond what the Government is allowing.”
Dr Morris said although those pictured appeared to be younger and less at risk, they were the demographic more likely to spread the disease.
“The 20-30s are the part of the population that tends to spread because they socialise more with one another.”
A man who spotted the group of women at Point Danger said: “I’ve seen some pictures of crowded beaches, but this is beyond that. This is a group of people flaunting the situation we are all living in at the moment.’’
The Burleigh Hill resident who photographed the group meeting there claimed he saw them each morning. “Every day they do this with blatant respect (sic) for anyone else – sort it out or I will!”