BUSINESSES on North Stradbroke Island have been hit hard by the snap three-day lockdown, with visitors cancelling trips and hundreds confined to their holiday accommodation.
Restrictions have affected the island on several occasions during school holidays this year, leaving businesses going backwards during what would normally be a one of Straddie's busiest periods.
But operators are hoping they will be able to open for full trade again on the weekend when the snap lockdown, currently affecting the Redlands and 10 other south-east government areas, is lifted at 6pm on Friday.
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Stradbroke Chamber of Commerce president Colin Battersby said businesses were resigned to the fact circumstances were out of their control but said the government was making it hard to stay optimistic.
"They keep saying it's going to be hard for tourism businesses and hospitality businesses, yet they continue to make dumb decisions," he said.
"I am not saying that shutting us down is necessarily a dumb decision, but when you put it all together in the context of vaccines, quarantine and shutdowns, it seems like they are just winging it.
"It is more about politics and remaining popular than it is about little small businesses here."
The island would normally be packed with day trippers during the school holidays but visitors have been cancelling their trips in droves since the Sydney lockdown was announced.
Those who had travelled to Straddie before the lockdown are stuck in their accomodation, only able to leave for the same four essential reasons as those living in other south-east areas under stay at home orders.
Mr Battersby said it had been difficult for businesses, particularly those that relied on day-trippers, and they were waiting with bated breath for what would happen with restrictions beyond Friday.
"There are people here that were on holidays, so they are still here," he said.
"Only takeaway food is available, so you can't sit down at our cafes, you can't sit down at the pub and have a beer.
"They are here, but what are they doing? Instead of going forward during the school holidays, you go backwards.
"The virus seems to be on the school holiday merry go round."
Two new community cases were recorded in Queensland overnight, including a 37-year-old woman who worked at the Qatar check-in counter at Brisbane International Airport and had been infectious in the community since Friday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was encouraging that there had not been widespread community transmission.
Mr Battersby said island businesses were waiting for people to be able to visit and enjoy Straddie.
"We will be here ... all we need is some confidence in the people running the show, from the feds down to the state," he said.
"Around the dinner table, I think that's what people are talking about."
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