Brisbane locks down, mask-wearing imposed across the state

COVID-19

Karlie Brady

Journalist

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Greater Brisbane will enter a three-day lockdown and restrictions will be imposed across the state. Image: Karlie Brady.

Greater Brisbane has been plunged into a three-day lockdown while the rest of Queensland is being asked to wear a mask after four cases of COVID-19 were detected in the community overnight.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the four new cases were of the highly contagious UK variant and are believed to be linked to the PA Hospital cluster, which started three weeks ago after a doctor treating a COVID-19 patient was infected.

RELATED: 
- When and where you need to wear a mask in the Far North

"Two are known cases of one of the previous people, then we have two under investigation, but we believe one of them is a nurse from the PA hospital," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Now what this says to us is the fact that there is now more community transmission and these people have been out and about in the community.”

There are now seven cases in total in the outbreak. One of the new cases had travelled to Gladstone from March 25 to 28 while two travelled to Byron Bay during their infection period.

From 5:00pm today, residents in the local government areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Logan and Redlands can only leave home for one of these four reasons:

1. To buy essentials such as groceries or medications
2. Work or study if you can’t do either from home
3. Exercise in your local area
4. Healthcare or to provide help, care or support

Residents of these areas must also wear masks indoors except at home, including in rideshares, on public transport and in workplaces.

Cafés, pubs and restaurants will be open only for take-away service. Schools in the locked-down areas will remain open for children of essential workers.

Anyone in the Far North who has been in the Greater Brisbane area since Saturday, 20 March must also follow those same restrictions.

Rest of Queensland 

Due to the infectious cases moving outside of Greater Brisbane, the rest of Queensland will also be subject to restrictions including mask-wearing in indoor public areas, on public transport, and where physical distancing is not possible.

"We will be putting in that compulsory mask wearing for the rest of Queensland and limiting gatherings to your own home to 30 people," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"This is essential to everyone that we do this to stop further transmission.

"Everywhere in Queensland, you must carry a mask with you whenever you leave home. Wear it in indoor spaces, including public transport, taxis and rideshares."

There is not a requirement to wear a mask when outside for people outside Greater Brisbane.

Aged care, correctional centres, hospitals and disability service providers will close to visitors across the state.

Dining and drinking will be sit-down only.

Easter holidays are sitting on a knifes-edge with the restrictions set to be reviewed on Wednesday evening, however, Ms Palaszczuk said it is the “right thing to do based on the health advice.

"We've seen what's happened in other countries. I don't want to see that happen to Queensland. I don't want to see that happen to Australia. I know it is a really big call.

"I know it is really tough. We have Easter coming up, we have school holidays coming up but let's do it now and let's do it right and let's see if we can."

The premier has declared Greater Brisbane a hotspot and has asked other states to do so as well.

Six new cases were also recorded in hotel quarantine overnight.

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