South-east Queensland plunges back into lockdown after state records six new local COVID-19 cases

Eleven local government areas in south-east Queensland have entered a snap three-day lockdown after the state recorded six new local COVID-19 cases.

The new cases were confirmed to be of the highly infectious Delta strain, and are linked to a 17-year-old who tested positive to the virus on Friday.

The new infections are the family members of that case, plus a tutor of one of those family members.

Stay-at-home orders are now in place for Brisbane City, Moreton Bay Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Sunshine Coast.

They are currently set to end on Tuesday at 4pm.

"Stay at home and do not leave, unless it is absolutely critical," Queensland's chief health officer Jeanette Young said on Saturday morning.

The state's health minister, Yvette D'Ath, said she made no apology for the speed and strictness of the orders.

"If you want to prevent the spread of the Delta virus, you have to go hard and you have to go fast," she said.

"Just over five days, we have an entire household of five people affected, and one of them had passed it onto another teacher.

"In Sydney, we saw what happened. From one case, 38 days later they are at 3,000 cases from that one person. Sadly, 13 people have died from that one cluster. We have to get this right.

"We have been here before. We know what we have to do."

Dr Young said it is hoped the lockdown only lasts for three days, but that will depend on compliance with the lockdown rules.

The lockdown extends to anyone who was in one of the 11 LGAs as of 1am Saturday, so even if they have since travelled to another part of Queensland they must abide by the restrictions.

Tasmania has also shut its border to the 11 LGAs. Visitors to the state from Queensland who have arrived since 17 July will also be under stay-at-home orders for three days.

"If you're in Tasmania, and we expect there are probably about 11,000 people who have travelled into the state, you should immediately go home and isolate," Premier Peter Gutwein said.

10-km limit and masks in schools 

Among the new rules is a 10-kilometre travel restriction to reduce the movement of people.

"I don't know today where this virus is in the south-east of Queensland. But wherever it is, I don't want it to go further," Dr Young said.

Exceptions to the 10-kilometre limit apply for compassionate circumstances, such as looking after a vulnerable person.

"Of course, use that common sense, which I know people do ... But just minimise movement, if you can," Dr Young said.

People doing exercise can do so with one person who does not live with them.

Funerals and weddings in the lockdown zone are now limited to 10 people and hospitality is takeaway only. Cinemas, hairdressers, gyms and places of worship have to close.

All schools in the lockdown zone will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, while all staff and students of Indooroopilly High School and Ironside State School are in quarantine for two weeks.

Schools will be open on Monday and Tuesday for the children of essential workers and for children who are vulnerable.

A pop-up testing clinic has been set up at Indooroopilly High School.

Health workers swab members of the public at a pop-up COVID-19 testing station at Indooroopilly State High School in Brisbane

AAP

Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has urged people to carry proof of residence on them as police check compliance with the 10-kilometre limit.

"We will, as we always have, take an educative approach and work with people. So, if you're trying to do the right thing, you will be looked after. If you choose to do the wrong thing, there are strong consequences," he said, referencing fines of $1,378.

He warned people against attending any protests, adding that officers will be monitoring events this weekend.

"I'm also informed through our intelligence that there are people planning to protest in the CBD of Brisbane tomorrow. Can I say really clearly now is not the time. Now is not the time for protests in our community," he said.

"We ask that you do not go ahead with those protests. You can expect a police presence and you can expect the police to make sure that the chief health officer's directions are obeyed."

A full list of the state's exposure sites can be viewed here.

Sporting chaos

The announcement has caused matches in both the AFL and NRL to be postponed.

Saturday's AFL games between Gold Coast and Melbourne and Essendon's clash with Sydney at the Gabba have been deferred, along with Sunday's game between GWS and Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.

Sunday's AFL clash between Hawthorn and Brisbane in Launceston will go ahead as scheduled with the Lions having flown out of Queensland on Saturday ahead of the lockdown.

The NRL has postponed all its Saturday games.

The NRL's hopes of keeping round 20 alive look slim, however, with Dr Young adamant there would be no sporting events in the 11 affected local government areas during the period of the lockdown.

"No community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days," she said.

The Super Netball competition, relocated entirely to southeast Queensland for its remaining rounds, is also facing issues with three games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday that will have to be rescheduled.

With AAP.

Share this post