The COVID-19 infection has already arrived in the Clarence Valley and now the first case of local transmission has been reported.
Despite this, holiday destinations - particularly on the Clarence Coast - are still seeing day trippers and holiday makers arriving in the valley.
The Daily Examiner, 31 March 2020:
....Last week Clarence Valley Council closed one caravan park and slapped restrictions on four others in an attempt to stop “unnecessary travel” in the area and general manager Ashley Lindsay has told people to stay away.
“We really wish this was the time for holiday-makers in our communities, but unfortunately it is not,” Mr Lindsay said. “We really want you to stay home this year.”
Council is also asking local real estate agents and Airbnb operators managing holiday rentals to “do the right thing” by discouraging unnecessary domestic travel into the Clarence.
It is an issue keenly felt in the coastal towns of the Lower Clarence as residents report a steady number of tourists still heading to beaches and towns on the weekends.
Angourie resident Eden Hage was so concerned he was planning on putting up signs warning people of the dangers of travelling during the current crisis. But someone beat him to it, erecting a sign at Angourie Point – telling people to stay away.
“People aren’t happy,” he said. Just about everyone I spoke to was flabbergasted at the amount of tourists still coming.
“It is pretty concerning, especially for the elderly around here and the people that have health issues already. “It is just ignorant and arrogant that people are not taking this seriously.”
Mr Hage was pleased council had closed or restricted the caravan parks, but he wanted other accommodation businesses to follow their lead to stop the flow of tourists ignoring government advice.
At the time of print there were more than 150 accommodation listings across the Clarence on Airbnb alone and Mr Hage said it had to stop, either voluntarily or via stricter government measures.
“It seems ridiculous some people’s incomes are stopping but there are still advertisements for holiday letting,” Mr Hage said.
“It is just a total disregard and is putting a lot of vulnerable people at risk.
“The message from the Prime Minister is not getting through. “We need leadership on this because there is a risk of people losing their lives.” The issue has been brought to light across the county in recent weeks as a number of coastal and rural areas receive a number of non-residents opting to wait out the pandemic in more remote locations.
Airbnb has offered full refunds to those who booked accommodation before March 14 with a check-in date between March 14 to April 14.
Hosts can also cancel without charge or impact to their superhost status.....
