Cairns and Yarrabah to enter three-day lockdown

Cairns and Yarrabah Local Government Areas will enter a three-day lockdown starting 4pm today, August 8.

The move comes after a taxi driver in Cairns tested positive for COVID-19 and was potentially infectious in the community for up to 10 days.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the source of the infection was being investigated, and vital contact tracing was underway.

“Going hard and fast with a lockdown in South East Queensland has allowed us to get on top of the virus,” the Premier said.

“We need this in Cairns and Yarrabah so we can get on top of it there too.

“As always, we know this will have an impact on families and businesses, but we need to act quickly to give us and the Cairns and Yarrabah communities the best chance possible to make this lockdown as short as possible.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said people in Cairns and Yarrabah must adhere to the lockdown requirements and wear masks.

“Masks are one of the many tools we have to help limit the spread of the virus,” the Minister said.

“We’ve seen in SEQ that lockdowns and masks can work.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said Queensland Health would continue to contact trace, and testing was vital.

“We’ll be ramping up testing capacity and even you have the mildest of symptoms, it’s important to get tested,” Dr Young said.

“And remember to check the Queensland Health website for updates to possible exposure sites.

“If you are out and about today, please start making your way home as soon as possible.

“If you do leave your home during the lockdown period, you should remain within 10km of your home wherever possible.

“As always, at the earliest sign of even the mildest symptoms, get tested and self-isolate until you get your result.

“Keep practising good hand hygiene and social distancing.

“If you have an appointment to get vaccinated, keep it. This applies to everyone, but especially the over 60s. If you haven’t already, book in for your AstraZeneca jab with your GP. Don’t wait until there is a significant outbreak – act now.

“However, if you’re in quarantine or unwell, you cannot get vaccinated right now. If you have a second dose of Pfizer booked for the lockdown period, ring 134COVID for advice.

"Please remember to check the website for contact tracing venues that will be added during the day."

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit //www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing.

LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS

From 4pm Sunday, August 8 to 4pm Wednesday August 11, 2021, people in Cairns and Yarrabah LGAs will be required to stay home except for certain reasons.

During the lockdown period, you can only leave your residence (which includes temporary accommodation such as a holiday rental) for limited permitted purposes such as:

• obtaining essential goods or services within 10km, including healthcare
• exercising in your local area
• attending essential work or school, and childcare for the children of essential workers or vulnerable children
• assisting vulnerable persons
• obtaining a COVID-19 test or vaccination

Essential work is work that cannot be done from your home.

You should stay within 10km of your home unless for essential reasons.

Only two visitors are allowed to your residence (excluding volunteers and workers), unless providing support to a vulnerable person.

You can exercise away from your home, within 10km, with your household group and/or one other person not from your household.

MASKS

You must wear a face mask at all times when you leave home, including outdoors and for exercise, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as: 

• shopping centres and supermarkets
• hospitals and aged care facilities, if permitted to visit
• indoor workplaces (where safe to wear a mask and you can’t physically distance) 
• public transport, taxis and rideshare, and waiting places or queues for this transport, and
• airports and travelling on planes.

Masks do not need to be worn in some circumstances, including children under 12 years, where people have certain medical conditions, and in workplaces where it is not safe to do so. Masks may be removed when sitting down to eat and drink and for employment purposes. 

Mask wearing will be required for students, teachers and staff at high schools. Staff at primary schools will also be required to wear masks.

BUSINESS

Non-essential businesses are not allowed to operate. Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, hairdressers, beauty and personal care services, gyms and places of worship will all close. Childcare centres will remain open for children of essential workers.

Restaurants and cafes can provide take away or home delivery services only. 

FUNERALS, WEDDINGS AGED AND OTHER CARE

Funerals will be limited to 20 people, and weddings will be limited to 20 people, including the celebrant and the couple.

Restrictions on aged care, hospitals, disability care and correctional facilities apply with no personal visitors allowed. Anyone attending these facilities in Cairns and Yarrabah, including staff, must wear a mask. People will still be able to visit their loved ones who are at end of life.

ENDS

Media contact: 3708 5376