Queensland has avoided a lockdown for another day after two locally acquired cases were reported, both linked to existing clusters.
One of the cases was a man who travels between NSW and Qld picking up and relocating animals and was infectious for one day on the Gold Coast after picking up the virus in NSW. His case is not considered a risk.
The second case was linked to the Brisbane aviation cluster and was infectious while holidaying at Kirra Beach Resort on the Gold Coast from September 25. The list of exposure sites is being updated to include a number of locations in Kirra such as the surf club.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was no need for a lockdown yet because the there were no unlinked cases and the virus did not appear to be seeding in the community.
However, Ms Palaszczuk said she would not hesitate to order a lockdown if the chief health officer said it was necessary.
“If the advice is to go into lockdown we will go into lockdown, there’s no ifs and buts; this is serious.
“It depends on seeding in the next 48 hours…but it’s encouraging news today that we do not have any unlinked community transmission and we have a high level of testing.”
On Thursday, 19, 497 people came forward to get tested.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath called on Queenslanders to “get vaccinated on holidays”, saying people could just turn up without having to make a booking as there was plenty of vaccine.
Many families are on the move for the school holidays and long weekend but Ms D’ath said they shouldn’t wait until getting home to have their vaccine.
Dr Jeannette Young also urged people to just walk-in and forget about their bookings, saying there was no need to wait.
Dr Young said she was still concerned about the cases in Queensland and urged people to adhere to the current restrictions in place for six local government areas.
Stage two restrictions are now in place across Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Townsville and Palm Island, with residents required to mask up when leaving home and caps on weddings, funerals and hospitality venues.
There are now more than 80 exposure sites in Brisbane, including 20 close contacts sites, in the CBD, Albany Creek, Aspley, Camp Hill, Cannon Hill, Carindale, Eatons Hill, Hamilton, Rocklea, Spring Hill and South Brisbane.
Dr Young said it was imperative Queenslanders wore a mask and kept up to date with the growing list of exposure sites.
“It’s critical that people wear their masks the entire time when they’re in those larger venues, whether they’re cinemas, or theatres or sporting events. Keep your mask on unless you’re seated, and eating or drinking,” she said.
“We know masks work. We know they’re very effective.
“If people have been in any of those LGAs since the 21st, please go online and check for all those exposure venues.”
