ADVANCE CAIRNS
COVID crisis sparks Team Cairns response Collaboration and co-ordination were central to the Cairns response to the COVID-19 crisis, which saw the region produce a comprehensive local recovery plan to inform State and Federal governments. As news emerged during January of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, Cairns was one of the earliest impacted regions. In the preceding decade the Cairns tourism industry had benefitted from the Chinese New Year during late January and early February (traditionally poor tourism months in this region). But the emergence of COVID in 2020 immediately put paid to any New Year celebrations with flights from China shut down from February 2, costing this region’s economy many millions of dollars in tourism income. On March 11th the World Health Organisation declared the virus a pandemic. Two days later a wartime-style National Cabinet was formed in Australia to provide a more co-ordinated Federal/State response to the unfolding crisis. Within 10 days Queensland borders were closed, with dramatic impact on a range of industries headlined by tourism and hospitality and international education. At the same time, the Cairns Local Disaster Management Group had been stood up under the auspice of Cairns Regional Council.
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highlights • COVID-19 hit Cairns hard • QLD borders closed amid pandemic • Team spirit shone through in local response Two committees were activated to lead response and recovery planning and implementation: The Economic Response and Recovery Sub-Committee (ERRSC); and The Human and Social Sub-Committee (HSRRSC).
Response
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Recovery
