Restrictions eased in time

comes into effect on Sunday.

But Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has warned that households going beyond the 50km on family visits can only go to the other household and not to shops, the beach or anywhere else, before returning home.

Two new cases of coronavirus were confirmed on the

Gold Coast yesterday, taking the number of new cases this past week to three. The region’s total number of cases now sits at 195, with 12 active cases. One of the new cases has been linked to a cruise ship while the source of the second infection is unknown.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said despite a handful

of new cases, the state had seen a successful drop in coronavirus numbers overall, with just 50 active cases in total.

“Because Queensland has been doing such a great job, from Sunday we will be allowing up to five members to visit a household, right across Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“So that is great news for families. It must be from the same household. I think this is going to be welcomed by families, especially with Mother’s Day this Sunday.”

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the new rule meant families could travel beyond the 50km perimeter, but only to visit households.

“If you are visiting another household you can (go beyond the 50km radius). You have always been able to, but you can’t go out into that community,” she said. “It is all about one household meeting with another household.”

Dr Young said people making visits over the weekend must continue to practise social distancing, including spacing one person to every four square metres.

“The most important thing for everyone so we can continue doing this is if you feel unwell, stay at home, that is so critical – I can’t stress that enough,” Dr Young said.

SINCE the impact of the pandemic began to be felt, many Gold Coasters have been showing their true colours.

It is an honour and privilege to know that those who have decided they must do something to help others are part of our community.

Many have been rallying to do what’s right and lend a hand or cook a meal for people doing it tough.

We have been proud to tell their stories. In most instances, they have stepped up without any thought of recognition, like the Palm Beach Burger Shack manager who was feeding hundreds of anxious Centrelink customers as they lined up for government relief after losing their jobs.

There was the hinterland family who opened up their property to backpackers stranded here without work or financial assistance. In one special report, Salute To Our Heroes, we paid tribute to the range of people – mums and dads, doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, paramedics, cleaners, council workers, midwives, volunteers, pharmacists and bus drivers – who were a sample of an enormous number giving their time, effort and skills to help others and in many instances, ran a risk in doing so.

Tonight, Aquinas College seizes the moment to use its tuckshop resources and the generosity of staff and the school community to provide meals for those in need. But the intention is to feed a wider range than the battlers doing it tough on the streets. Organisers hope some of the meals will be taken to the frontline fighters in the crisis, feeding hospital workers or others who have been spending their days putting the welfare of others first.

It is a beautiful gesture and joins a growing list of acts of kindness that are an example to all of what can be done in such challenging times.

The Bulletin urges everyone to ask themselves what they can do for others.

We sincerely hope people everywhere take that attitude to heart.