Builders of ring given virus pass

TWO Victorian workers have been granted special exemptions from strict COVID-19 border restrictions for tonight’s Horn-tszyu fight in Townsville because they have skills erecting boxing rings.

Queensland Health has confirmed the pair were deemed “freight and logistics” workers ahead of the muchhyped fight so they could enter Queensland and avoid stringent 14day quarantine rules.

The exemption allowed the pair to fly to North Queensland from the COVID-19 hotspot of Victoria last week and travel between their hotel and the Townsville Stadium, where the fight will be held.

The decision has been condemned by the state opposition after a NSW mother had to fight to enter Queensland to be with her hospitalised newborn and the department was also shamed into allowing a two-yearold to isolate at home after open heart surgery in Sydney.

LNP health spokeswoman Ros Bates said locals should have been found to assemble the boxing ring.

“It makes a mockery of the border closure when the Palaszczuk Government allows two people to come from Victoria and avoid hotel quarantine so they can assemble a boxing ring,” she said. “Melbourne was on stage-four lockdown when these assembly men travelled to Townsville.”

Horn, who starred at Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s 2017 election campaign launch and has repeatedly snared taxpayer funding for his events, will fight Tim Tszyu tonight after the bout was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood the exemption has angered local authorities with the pair of ring builders allowed to leave unaccompanied from the Grand Chancellor Hotel in the city which has remained largely free of the virus.

Queensland’s strict border rules state only people performing “essential activities” will be allowed to enter the state, and freight and logistics workers must prove their physical presence is necessary.

“These people as much as possible must remain isolated from the general public and in their vehicle or accommodation until they depart Queensland,” the rules state.

Queensland Health insisted the exemption was within the rules and quarantine protocols still applied.

“These workers fall under the freight and logistics border rules,” the department said.

“All such workers are required to quarantine except while undertaking the approved activity.

“No exemption from hotel quarantine was granted.

“The exemptions issued require strict adherence to quarantine protocol when travelling between a hotel and a work site.

“The exemption does not extend to allowing these staff members to attend the bout.”