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The tourism industry in Far North Queensland is in "the depths of despair", according to industry groups.
Key points:
- Cairns will enter its second day of lockdown today
- Many businesses have been struggling since the end of JobKeeper
- More than 1,100 people are already in quarantine
Chairman of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Ken Chapman, said businesses were already struggling with the lack of visitors.
ABC Far North: Holly Richardson
)Mr Chapman issued a desperate plea to the state and federal governments.
"The tourism industry is on its knees. It's time to realise that and step up and provide some assistance," he said.
"There are thousands and thousands of peoples' jobs and livelihoods on the line right now."
He said a system like JobKeeper was urgently needed and pointed to a current scheme set up in New South Wales.
"Mr Prime Minister, get on the phone to the Premier and please sort this out. There's too many peoples' lives at stake if you don't," he said.
Cairns recorded a second case of COVID-19 on Sunday with links to a taxi driver who had been out in the community while infectious.
Yesterday, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the man probably caught the virus off the previous case in Cairns, a reef pilot.
ABC Far North: Kristy Sexton-McGrath
)Café owner, Ankush Sharma said he agrees with the lockdown but said the impact will certainly be felt by businesses.
He said he was also concerned about the risk to himself and staff.
"It does put us on a front line of someone who could be exposed. That is something we are concerned about.
ABC News
)He said this was also a reason why he supported the lockdown, so anyone who may have been in contact could be traced and businesses can return to normal earlier.
Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said the township was very concerned about the new Delta cases, given the vulnerability of the community.
Supplied: Christine Howes
)Cr Andrews said the vaccine rollout has started in Yarrabah, with 405 residents receiving at least one dose.
He said the township was also dealing with long-standing issues that could exacerbate the risk.
"The community's been fighting for a number of years trying to get more investment and more support around additional social housing, and at this stage it is pretty challenging," he said.