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. “We’ve gone from 85 per cent down to 100 per cent down,” he said. Ken Chapman has been calling for more financial assistance for the tourism industry. 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 . Catch up on the latest COVID-19 news here Ankush Sharma travelled up from Melbourne to start his business so is used to wearing masks. 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. “We work in hospitality, so that is one of those industries which is more prone towards risk because we do deal with a lot of customers who go back and forth from airports,” he said. “It does put us on a front line of someone who could be exposed. That is something we are concerned about. Find more local news Browse for your location and find more local and information Tourism operators have been under significant financial strain since international borders closed. 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. “Yarrabah being in close proximity to Cairns [and] we have chronic disease and overcrowding in our houses. So it is a bit of a worry,” he said. Cr Andrews said Yarrabah locals are very worried about this outbreak.  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. Loading… Read our full coverage on COVID-19 here