Four Southeast LGAs, Townsville and Palm Island to enter Stage 2 restrictions at 4pm

Four Local Government Areas in Southeast Queensland along with Townsville and Palm Island will enter stage 2 restrictions from 4pm today.

The affected LGAs are Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Townsville and Palm Island.

Stage 2 restrictions mean the number of people allowed in a home and in public is reduced to 30, including visitors, residents, and children.

Weddings and funeral will be capped at 100 attendees. A maximum of 20 people will be allowed to dance at weddings.

Restaurants and cafes will return to 1 person per 4sqm and dancing will be banned at venues.

Capacity at sporting events will decrease to 75 per cent, including Sunday’s NRL Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium.

It also means visitors will be restricted at hospitals and aged care, disability services and corrections facilities.

And enhanced mask wearing is required in the LGAs of concern.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said stage 2 restrictions were needed in response to the new cases, including a man who has been active in the Townsville community while infectious.

“The next 24-48 hours is absolutely crucial,” the Premier said.

“I’m asking all Queenslanders to check the list of locations, follow the health advice, and please come forward for testing if you have any symptoms at all.

“And keep doing the things you know how to do so well – wear your masks, check in at venues, wash your hands, socially distance, and stay home if you’re sick.

“Above all, get vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated will help protect you and your loved ones, and reduce the risk of spread in the community.”

All Queensland Health community vaccination centres will from now on accept walk-ins, with no bookings required.

Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath urged Queenslanders to take the restrictions seriously.

“These restrictions will slow down movement in the community and help our contact tracers by giving them time to work through these new cases,” the Minister said.

“The Chief Health Officer is confident that a lockdown isn’t needed right now, but that can all change quickly.

“I know Queenslanders will do what needs to be done to try and stop this from escalating, so I want to encourage people to keep safe by following the rules.

“Between them, New South Wales and Victoria are seeing thousands of cases a day – we can prevent this in Queensland if people abide by the health directives.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said there were currently 22 active cases in Queensland.

“Our contact tracers are doing a brilliant job of tracking where these cases have been in the community.

“They work around the clock to achieve the best possible outcome for all Queenslanders and they will continue to do so for these additional cases.

“There is a raft of processes that occur during contact tracing, and it’s not quick or simple. Locations go up as soon as they have gone through all of the checks and balances.

“I would ask all Queenslanders to regularly monitor the list of exposure venues on the Queensland Health website.”

The roadmap with stage 2 restrictions can be found at the Covid-19 website

ENDS

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008