Australian city switches off ALL of its parking meters during the coronavirus pandemic so people 'have one less thing to worry about'

  • Brisbane will switch off almost 1,000 parking meters in the city on Friday
  • Measures will lighten the load during the stressful coronavirus period for locals
  • Brisbane City Council was praised on social media for their kind gesture 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Brisbane City Council will switch off all of its parking meters during the coronavirus pandemic and reduce the fees at two major car parks.

Meters at the Wesley, Mater, Princess Alexandra and Queensland Children’s Hospitals will be turned off on Friday, along with those in Fortitude Valley and South Bank. 

All other meters in the city - around 1,000 in total - will be switched off on Monday, meaning drivers won't have to pay for parking and will avoid being fined. 

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Brisbane City Council will switch off almost 1,000 parking meters throughout the city from Friday (stock image)

Brisbane City Council will switch off almost 1,000 parking meters throughout the city from Friday (stock image)

'From Friday, we’re turning off every parking meter across Brisbane so residents who still need to go to work have one less thing to worry about,' the Council's Facebook post reads.

'We’re also reducing the cost of parking at our King George Square and Wickham Terrace carparks to just $5 a day.'

Many locals praised the council's move on social media.

'Thank you! I still have to go to work and this will help!' one comment reads.

'Being pregnant I really wanted to avoid catching the train heading into work. Now this will help so much!'

'Classy move,' another post read. 'Brisbane City Council, thank you!'

The measures were implemented to lighten the load during the stressful period and give peace of mind to locals. Pictured: two girls with face masks cross George St in Brisbane

The measures were implemented to lighten the load during the stressful period and give peace of mind to locals. Pictured: two girls with face masks cross George St in Brisbane

Australia has 3,050 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday morning, with 13 deaths

Australia has 3,050 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday morning, with 13 deaths