Moreton Bay gets new Ekka public holiday - and long weekend

The new Ekka People’s Day public holiday will be on Friday October 29 for residents in the Moreton Bay Region.

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement today after revealing just two new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, both in quarantine.

The new Ekka holiday date came with a passionate plea from the Premier and two ministers to “pack a travel bag” and explore South-East Queensland.

Long weekend

Premier Palaszczuk said the people's day holiday, which also for Brisbane and Scenic Rim government areas, was set after discussions with the tourism and hospitality industries.

She said it gave residents “a wonderful long weekend” (October 29-31) and “in Queensland we want to try and continue to support small businesses and hospitality.”

Minister for Employment Grace Grace said creating a long weekend was “very, very successful when we did this last year.

“There was a surge in spending and bookings. About 1.8million residents will enjoy a long weekend."

Minister Grace urged residents not to "worry about a sample bag" but to "book early, pack a travel bag and get around and support tourism businesses”.

$112 million boost

Minister for Tourism Sterling Hinchliffe added: “A long weekend will make a great chance for people to get out and enjoy Queensland.

“Nothing supports the hospitality and tourism industry like business, customers. That's what this holiday will provide."

The Minister said the rescheduled Friday holiday last year saw an extra $112 million go into the economy.

'Excellent news'

This followed what Premier Palaszczuk described as “excellent news” with just two new community acquired COVID cases in the last 24 hours.

One was in hotel quarantine and the other was art of the Indooroopilly cluster in home quarantine. “Absolutely really happy with that result,” she said.

Queensland has 2895 people in home quarantine; conducted 10,837 COVID tests in the last 24 hours and administered 14,300 vaccines.

Vaccination hubs

Expanded vaccination hubs at Caboolture and Logan will open as soon as extra Pfizer vaccines from the Commonwealth arrive.

Queensland Police stopped 10,000 cars at the border with NSW yesterday – 1000 were turned back.

Another 25 officers will be deployed at the Coolangatta/Tweed border crossing and another 25 along Queensland’s western border.

For further COVID information and a list of exposure sites: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/...