Melbourne flight time ill-chosen

CONCERNS for the health and safety of people and the economy in North Queensland due to the imminent arrival of a plane from Melbourne tomorrow are valid.

Tomorrow will be the first direct flight to Townsville from Melbourne since the coronavirus lockdown. It comes at a time when the virus looks to be out of control in the Victorian capital.

Hundreds of people have been diagnosed with the virus there this week and authorities can’t work out where it came from.

About 300,000 people in a range of Melbourne suburbs have been locked down to try and control the spread, yet for some reason we have our first direct flight arriving tomorrow?

Sources close to the airlines say the plane may only have a handful of passengers on board but that hasn’t allayed concerns of workers and residents.

One thing that should allay fears is the knowledge that the Townsville Airport has stringent protocols in place to help keep the region safe.

All passengers will be kept in the international terminal, away from other passengers and workers until police and health workers can access the situation.

An airport spokesman said hygiene and communication measures had been put in place throughout the terminal to keep passengers safe.

Queensland, especially up north, has kept the pandemic under control. Unfortunately stuff-ups like the Ruby Princess and what is happening now in Melbourne have exposed communities to harm.

Everyone disembarking tomorrow needs to do the right thing and self isolate for 14 days to keep Townsville COVID-19 free.