With so much controversy following closures, it remains to see how both sides of the border will react to the news that they will soon reopen.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington yesterday unveiled a four-stage plan for the re-opening of the Queensland economy to give businesses certainty.
Ms Frecklington said she wanted Queenslanders to have their say on the LNP’s roadmap to recovery.
‘Queenslanders have made huge sacrifices to stop the spread of coronavirus. The LNP believes we need a roadmap to give businesses the hope and ambition and certainty for a restart,’ said Ms Frecklington.
‘We cannot be complacent about the virus, but we cannot be complacent about the future either.
‘Business can’t be left in the dark, they need to know what the plan looks like to restart the economy, they need certainty.
‘This is the work Annastacia Palaszczuk should be doing because thousands of Queensland businesses are hanging on by their fingertips and they need to know when and how our economic recovery will begin.
‘Queenslanders need to know there is a plan to get our economy moving.
‘That’s why the LNP team has been working to develop this recovery plan.’
Recovery roadmap is staged and measured
Ms Frecklington said the LNP’s recovery roadmap is staged and measured and would depend on the continued control of coronavirus and social-distancing rules. The plan could be further adapted following wider consultation with Queensland business.
In phase one of the plan, cafes, restaurants and shops would be allowed to open for business by the last week of May. Border and intrastate travel restrictions would also be partially eased.
Other businesses and community facilities, such as public pools and libraries, would be re-opened in three further phases throughout June and July. All restrictions on intrastate travel would be lifted by mid-July.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the party had held in-depth discussions with Queensland businesses on how best to get the economy moving again.
‘Businesses need to know what the future looks like so they can start planning now,’ said Mr Mander.
Each phase to proceed if coronavirus is contained
‘The LNP’s plan is staged and careful and each phase would only proceed if coronavirus is still contained.
‘We have looked at the work of other jurisdictions such as the Northern Territory and we’ve listened to businesses.
‘Queensland need a clear and responsible plan and that’s what the LNP has produced.’
LNP’s Roadmap to recovery as long as the infection rate remains at the current level with appropriate social distancing and COVID plans in place.
Phase 1 by last week of May
Reopen:
• Cafes, restaurants and all retail shops.
• Border communities – allow cross border travel for residents within 100Km of the Queensland border in New South Wales, South Australia and Northern Territory.
• Allow travel within Queensland up to 250 km for non-essential business.
• Outdoor personal training for groups up to 5 people.
• Public playgrounds, skate parks, BMX tracks and outside gyms, including static exercise equipment in Council parks.
Phase 2 by mid-June
Reopen:
• Interstate domestic work travel.
• Registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels.
• Community and recreation facilities (such as community halls, clubs, RSLs, PCYCs).
• Auction houses.
• Outdoor and indoor markets.
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons and tattoo parlours.
• Outdoor personal training for groups up to 10 people.
• Caravan parks and campgrounds.
Phase 3 by early-July
Reopen:
• Zoos and wildlife centres.
• Local government non-essential facilities and services (such as libraries and pools).
• Interstate travel for recreation.
• Open house inspections.
Phase 4 by mid-July
Reopen:
• Indoor sporting centres, including gyms, health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres.
• Galleries, museums, national and state institutions and historic sites.
• Theme parks and amusement arcades.
• Play centres (indoor and outdoor).
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