For many in Ipswich, Easter is a time for road trips and big family get‑togethers, but it’s safe to say this year’s festivities are going to be somewhat different to normal.
Ipswich resident Grace Thompson would usually be hightailing it up the coast to camp over the Easter long weekend, but has changed her plans as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
“We usually like to make the most of the long weekend and go camping for a couple of days and spend time with our families, but now we are social distancing it will be a lot more low-key,” she said.
“We’ll probably use the down time to do some work in the yard, take our labrador Frank down to Colleges Crossing and call our family for a big group Facetime.
“Although it will be quiet, all that matters is that we keep everyone in the community safe and healthy.”
While it’s natural to want to spend time with your loved ones at Easter, Ipswich residents are being urged to make like Ms Thompson and stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Opt to use phone calls, Skype or Facetime to connect with friends and family rather than inviting them all over for Easter lunch.
Those who would normally attend a church service this weekend should contact their local church to see if they’re hosting a virtual service. Catalyst Church in Brassall is one of the local churches livestreaming its Easter Sunday service.
“While we may not be physically together we have such an amazing opportunity to connect, do life and community with one another in these strange times thanks to technology,” they said in a recent social media post.
Local communities are also embracing new ways of coming together this Easter, including through the neighbourhood Easter egg hunt which is currently doing the rounds in Ipswich community groups on social media.
Similar to the teddy bear hunt, kids can draw or print out Easter eggs and put them in street-facing windows so that families walking past can go on a no-contact Easter egg hunt in their neighbourhood.
There has, however, been growing concern among local families about whether a certain visitor with big ears and whiskers would make it to Ipswich, given recent travel restrictions.
Thankfully, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has cleared things up.
The Easter egg hunt has made it onto many Ipswich community Facebook groups
“I have some good news, I’ve spoken to the Chief Health Officer and the Police Commissioner, and the Easter Bunny has been granted a special exemption to come into Queensland and can cross our borders,” she said.
So, while this year’s celebrations will certainly be different, with a little creativity and flexibility, Ipswich residents can still have an ‘eggscellent’ Easter.
Read more:
>>> Hold off on your Easter clean out, avoid big delays
