SOUTH EAST Queensland’s current COVID-19 lockdown has been extended until 4pm next Sunday to combat further spread of the highly-contagious Delta variant.
“This outbreak, unfortunately, is escalating,” Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young told a media conference this morning.
Queensland recorded 15 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, two of which were overseas acquired and detected on a bulk carrier off the Queensland coast.
The remaining 13 new cases are community cases are linked to a growing cluster involving several Brisbane schools.
As of Monday morning, there are now a total of 31 cases linked to a 17-year-old Indooroopilly State High School student. New cases include seven students from Ironside State School and five households.
“Don’t leave home. We know that the Delta virus, the variant of the virus, is totally unforgiving. It really and truly spreads so rapidly,” Dr Young said.
“We need to lockdown really hard, the hardest we have locked down to date.”
As well as within Brisbane and surrounding local government areas (11 LGAs in total), Dr Young urged people outside Brisbane to come forward for testing amid fears the virus has moved beyond the south-east.
“I don’t know where this virus has already moved to. So just because you live outside one of those 11 LGAs, don’t feel comfortable,” she said.
“Make sure if you’ve got any symptoms, you come forward and get tested.
“And please, if you’re due for a vaccine, go and get it. If you’re due for your second dose, unless you’re in quarantine – ring up and get advice. Go and get the vaccine.”
Dr Young also urged frontline health care workers to get vaccinated immediately.
People in Brisbane and the other mask-wearing local government areas can only leave home for four reasons – to obtain essential goods; for essential work, school or childcare; for exercise with only one member who is not from your household; and for healthcare.
These restrictions also require people not to leave an area within 10km of your home.
The lockdown also means churches and places of worship will be shut.
In the 11 LGAs under lockdown, non-essential businesses are not permitted to open.
Office workers have been told to work from home. Those in construction have been warned to cease all but non-essential work on sites.
Home learning will be in place from Tuesday for schools.
A further disappointment for many is that the EKKA will be cancelled for the second year in a row.
