April 24, 2020
South Burnett Regional Council has reminded residents that “ad hoc travel” – such as going out to buy an ice cream at 11:00pm – is banned under current health directives.
The South Burnett Local Disaster Management Group and police are urging residents to use common sense regarding “essential travel”.
Under the Queensland Health directive, a person may leave their home to reasonably conduct business, activities or undertakings at any essential business.
This includes visiting businesses that provide goods and services such as food and household items to ensure the function of everyday life. This includes, for example, a trip to the local shop for essential groceries or travel to the local waste management facility to dispose of rubbish.
However, conducting business, activities or undertakings does not include leaving the house on an ad-hoc basis such as a trip to “get out of the house”, or “to go shopping for ad-hoc items” resulting in unnecessary travel, such as buying an ice-cream at 11:00pm, Council says.
“The LDMG continues to encourage residents to shop local in the South Burnett area and to follow advice and directives as issued through Queensland Health,” a Council statement said.
“Queensland Police will continue to use a common sense and reasonable approach to restrictions and would like to take this opportunity to thank residents who continue to do the same.”
- External link: Queensland Health Directive
An icecream at 11pm could be essential for your mental health, to quieten a child, or to break the tension in a family argument. I reckon some people have been given way too much power and it’s gone to their heads.
Totally agree. Nobody is doing any harm whatsoever if they go out for a little drive to get out of their house and try to keep their sanity during these crazy times. No one is getting too close to anyone or breathing on anyone if they do this, compared to shopping in any of the supermarkets. The general public will follow sensible common sense instructions during a pandemic but will rebel against ill thought out and plain dumb directives issued by people who have way too much power above their pay grade.