Southeast Queensland will be released from lockdown on Sunday afternoon, after the state recorded nine new locally acquired cases of Covid-19. Seven of those are linked to the Indooroopilly cluster, but one case is under investigation on the Gold Coast, and another case has been confirmed in Cairns which has authorities concerned.
The Cairns case was a taxi driver who was infectious in the community for ten days.
As a result, the far north Queensland city will be plunged into a three-day lockdown.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who came out of hotel quarantine on Sunday morning, said Queenslanders had done a “mighty job” over eight days, and thanked the 11,177 people in home quarantine.
While the lockdown will end at 4pm, Ms Palaszczuk warned “we are not out of the woods”.
“We need to make sure that we are making some extra precautions,” she said.
Given Victoria had been plunged into its sixth lockdown a week after it was released from its fifth, she urged Queenslanders “should be under no illusion” that the next outbreak could happen at any time.
“We are seeing this Delta strain take hold in countries all around the world. We have to go on what the best advise is about going hard and going fast,” she said.
“It is absolutely imperative to wear your mask. If you’re sick, go and get tested. And when it’s your turn, go and get vaccinated.
“This is absolutely critical. Every single state and territory is on board with this strategy.”
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Chief health officer Jeannette Young said it was absolutely critical the more than 11,000 people in home quarantine complete their 14 days.
Southeast Qld lockdown ends but strict restrictions remain
