Mainland travel joy for island residents

PALM Island residents will be able to travel to Townsville from next week.

After months of restricted travel, the Aboriginal community has had a win with a decision on easing lockdowns.

Palm Island Mayor Mislam Sam announced residents would be able to travel inside a declared travel zone, which includes Townsville, from Friday next week.

“I’ve argued strongly that while Townsville is COVID free, Palm Island residents and their family members should be able to come and go inside a declared travel zone,” Cr Sam said.

“We don’t know what or where COVID-19 will pop up next, but until it does the capacity for Palm Island residents and their family members to go about their lives in a safe, peaceful and healthy manner is a priority.

“As Local Disaster Committee chair, with the support of my LDMG, I have today signed the necessary document to allow residents and their family members to travel to Townsville from June 12.

“The Palm Island LDMG has worked tirelessly for months with all stakeholders to prepare for a possible outbreak of COVID-19. The community has been extremely patient and effectively quarantined on the island for over ten weeks.”

Cr Sam said this would be a return to normality for Palm residents.

“As I’ve repeatedly said, we all need to take personal responsibility for keeping ourselves, our families and our elders safe. I’ve spoken with community members who want these very tight restrictions to remain. We can’t forget we owe it to all community members to do everything we can to stay healthy.”