The tiny township of Urandangi doesn't get much traffic at the best of times, but travel has become even harder due to the COVID-19.
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It doesn't help that the town's de facto community centre, the Dangi Pub has been forced to close due to national restrictions.
However Urandangi's key place on the Queensland - Northern Territory border has seen an influx of personnel to make sure no one is breaching rules crossing between the state and territory.
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Dangi Pub owner Pam Forster said although the pub was shut she was kept busy by police and soldiers who were stationed at the outpost..
"We've got a checkpoint in front of the hotel." Ms Forster said.
"We've got 13 from the army in Townsville who are camped out in their swags in the park opposite the hotel and we've got four shifts of police."
Ms Forster said the influx had doubled Urandangi's usual population of 11 adults with a similar number of children.
The children also enjoyed an Easter egg hunt courtesy of their new visitors.
"I'm keeping busy feeding the army boys," she said.
"But they are doing a lot of job for the town, cutting down the long grass. it will look beautiful when it's done."
Ms Forster said people were asking when things would return to normal but she expected the operation could last six months.
"It depends on how the virus goes of course," she said.
"There's not much traffic here, just bore runners to Headingly Station and the odd station supply run."
All Queenslanders returning home from interstate now require a new Queensland Entry Pass.
Passes will be individually issued, and an application will be required for each person entering the State, including children. Online applications can be made at www.qld.gov.au/border-pass.
An exempt resident who arrives in Queensland must self-quarantine for fourteen days if they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot area unless their travel was for an essential purpose.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
