A travel bubble has begun for North West shires previously affected by pandemic declared status.
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The change affects Burke Shire, Mornington Shire and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire with large Indigenous populations who up to now had harsh travel restrictions.
But as of midnight last night the federal government has handed control back to the state Chief Health Officer and local authorities have put in travel "bubble" permitting local residents to travel in the region but still prevents tourists from coming in.
On its Facebook page, Burke Shire said its residents could now travel to Normanton, Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
"A register of residents exiting and returning will be kept by police at our borders.Tourists and non-essential travellers are not permitted to enter the Shire at this time.Children returning from boarding school will not be required to quarantine," Council said in its post.
It means that Adels Grove Tourist Park and the Gregory River camping area remain off limits to tourists though Burke Shire mayor Ernie Camp told ABC Friday morning they would be lobbying the state government to change that.
Sweers Island resort also remains closed.
On the roadmap to ease restrictions in these communities, Stage 3 is scheduled to begin July 10 when entry and quarantine restrictions no longer apply if there are no cases of COVID-19 in these communities.
Permits are still required to visit Mornington Shire.
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