Gail Rundle, Mullumbimby
The hard closure of the Queensland border is causing heartache and distress for the residents of the Northern Rivers. There is distressing news of people unable get a pass to cross the border – until the media gets involved.
I feel compassion for QLD Health staff who are just carrying out their premier’s orders. But why is this so? There are no active cases of COVID-19 in the Byron Shire. All cases are in Sydney, a nine hour drive away.
Because I am outside the bubble I cannot be a support for my daughter who is about to have a baby in the next couple of days. I can’t make an appointment to see my eye specialist in Coolangatta.
This border closure also affects Queensland medical staff, tradies, and other workers who, if they cross into NSW and go beyond the border zone, cannot get back into Queensland without a stay in hotel quarantine.
People who live in NSW are unable to get into Queensland for medical care and work.
People and businesses in both states have a symbiotic relationship. Both states are heading for economic disaster. Please let common sense prevail, put ego and electioneering aside. Please re-open and expand the border bubble to include more of Northern NSW.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
