A three-day lockdown will come into force from 6pm Tuesday 29 June, covering 11 local government areas (LGAs) in South East Queensland in addition to the Townsville LGA, including Magnetic Island and Palm Island. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown was necessary to tackle emerging COVID-19 community transmission in Queensland. "With the new Delta strain now in the Queensland community, we can't afford to take any chances," the Premier said. "This highly infectious strain means that a three-day lockdown in South East Queensland, Townsville and Palm Island is our only choice. "I'm asking all Queenslanders and all visitors to these affected areas to abide by the lockdown – this is absolutely vital to keep us all safe. "We've shown that we can do this before, and we can do it again. "Community spread is being seen across Australia, with returning residents and visitors bringing the Delta strain to our shores. "I'm calling on the Federal Government to immediately massively reduce overseas arrivals into Australia until a large proportion of the Australian public is vaccinated." 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 essentials such as groceries or medications
- exercise in your local area
- work or study if you can't do either from home, and childcare, and
- health care, including vaccination, or to provide help, care or support to vulnerable people.
The affected LGAs are:
- Brisbane City Council
- Logan City Council
- Moreton Bay Regional Council
- Ipswich City Council
- Redland City Council
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
- Gold Coast City Council
- Noosa Shire Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Townsville City Council, including Magnetic Island, and
- Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the three-day lockdown would be reviewed on Friday and allow Queensland Health to carry out vital contact tracing.
"This Delta strain is highly infectious and we're going hard and going early to avoid a longer lockdown," she said.
"Our contact tracers are amongst the best in the world and they're working around the clock to keep us all safe. "We need all people in the affected areas to stay home unless it's absolutely essential to leave home for one of the permitted reasons. "Above all, keep wearing your mask and if you have any symptoms, get tested and self-isolate until you get your result. "Remember to keep up the social distancing and practice good hand hygiene. "Getting vaccinated is also crucial, so if you have an appointment make sure you keep that appointment. "Queensland Health currently has 66 vaccination sites operating and we're encouraging those eligible to go online and book their vaccination." Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the three-day lockdown would limit community spread of COVID-19.
"With community transmission and many venues of concern throughout South East Queensland, and an emerging risk in Townsville this lockdown is essential to protect the community," Dr Young said.
