Schoolies arrive on the Gold Coast as they are warned about Covid and toolies
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Thousands of teens have begun to descend on the Gold Coast for the biggest prom since 2018 despite new fears over the new Covid outbreak.
An estimated 25,000 Year 12 students will flock to the popular hot spot this weekend to kick off the annual three-week school shindig.
It comes after two years of Covid disruption to the annual Australian passage of rite, known for its wildly out-of-control parties and non-stop celebrations.
An estimated 25,000 Year 12 students are expected to show up on the Gold Coast over the weekend (pictured girls running errands) to kick off the annual three-week celebration
Pictured: Ex-The Voice star Sophie Fraser, known as Inoxia on TikTok, where she has a whopping 3.9 million followers, busks in Surfers Paradise on Saturday
In latest Covid-19 uptick in Omicron cases, one expert urges partygoers to take precautions (pictured, Gold Coast partygoers)
School leavers can visit Recharge Zones within the Schoolies Hub and along the Esplanade if they need water or assistance (pictured, hugs at the Gold Coast party center)
Most of the official events took place in open-air venues, minimizing the risk of contracting the disease (pictured, guys get the supplies)
While the Gold Coast is traditionally home to high school students, the festivities have now spread to the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and even overseas to Fiji and Bali.
The Gold Coast is still the original and the biggest – but in 2020 all events were canned due to Covid restrictions, and in 2021 only limited numbers made it to the party hubs.
This year – with most Covid restrictions now lifted – is expected to see a return to the heyday of schooling, despite warnings from some.
The new Covid-19 resurgence in Omicron business has called for an expert to take precautions.
Professor Nigel McMillan, Griffith University’s infectious disease expert, told the Brisbane Times that most official events took place outside, minimizing the risk of contracting the disease.
Professor McMillan advised revelers to adhere to the outdoor events and encouraged the basics of hand washing and general hygiene.
It comes after a two-year disruption to the annual Australian passage or rite, known for its out-of-control celebrations (pictured, guys arriving at the Gold Coast)
Authorities have urged revelers to “watch your surroundings and be careful while on high balconies” over the holidays (pictured, guys hang out on balconies on the Gold Coast)
“I urge all young people to watch their friends, stick together and check on each other,” said Police Minister Mark Ryan (pictured, young school leavers on the Gold Coast on Saturday)
In 2020 the event was canceled due to Covid restrictions, and in 2021 fewer people came to the party hubs (pictured a Year 12 student with the bare essentials on the Gold Coast)
He also warned the teens about other diseases transmitted during these events, such as sexually transmitted diseases and potentially deadly meningococci.
Meanwhile, Police Secretary Mark Ryan has asked uninvited revelers to celebrate the festivities in a big way.
“Nobody likes a ‘Toolie,'” Mr. Ryan said. “Leave this week to the young people who have worked hard and deserve to celebrate their achievements responsibly.”
Toolies are young men, who have dropped out of school, who sneak into school events to have sex with female students.
Gold Coast police will randomly search for hidden weapons in the Safe Night Precinct (pictured, police on scene)
“Charge your phones, plan ahead and get in touch with loved ones back home,” Police Secretary Ryan added (pictured, Year 12 students posing on the Gold Coast)
“Leave this week to the young people who have worked hard and deserve to celebrate their achievements responsibly,” said Police Secretary Mark Ryan (pictured shows the girls letting it all out at the party hotspot on Saturday)
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there would be more police presence on the Gold Coast this week (pictured, a partygoer goes loose on the Gold Coast)
“I urge all young people to watch their partners, stick together and be around each other. Watch your surroundings and be careful on high balconies,” he added.
“Charge your phones, plan ahead, and check in on your loved ones’ homes.”
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said there will be an increased police presence on the Gold Coast this week.
“The police are here to keep everyone safe,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“I would like to encourage young people to talk to the Schoolies crews this week.”
Police on the Gold Coast will randomly search for concealed weapons in the Safe Night Precinct, while authorities will conduct location checks for minors and fake IDs.
School leavers can visit Recharge Zones within the Schoolies Hub and along the Esplanade if they need water or assistance.
Authorities will conduct location checks on underage and fake IDs on the Gold Coast (photo, selfies at the party hotspot)
Thousands of school students have descended on a popular party venue, the most since 2018, despite new fears over the new Omicron outbreak (pictured, school leavers preparing for the Gold Coast on Saturday)
The festivities also take place in other popular spots such as the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, Fiji and Bali (a Gold Coast school dropout on Saturday)