At 8am on Friday 8th January Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a three-day lockdown for the Greater Brisbane area, from 6pm Friday 8th January, until 6pm Monday 11th January, to help stop the spread of the highly contagious UK strain of COVID-19. All residents of the below regions were advised that during the lockdown period, wearing of masks while outside their homes is mandatory.
Restrictions were applied, and residents of the locked down areas were notified that the only reason they are allowed to leave their homes are for the following reasons:
Restrictions also mandated that:
Moreton Bay Regional Council has released a list highlighting venues across the region which are to remain open or closed over the 3 day lockdown.
Venues to be closed until after 6pm Monday Jan 11:
Venues to remain open:
For more information regarding Moreton Bay Regional Council updates, please visit here mbrc.link/service-update
Businesses across the Moreton Bay Region have a key role to play in encouraging the community to follow the State Government’s latest COVID-19 directives, Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Brad Flynn says.
“As business owners we are the leaders in our community and we need to follow the guidelines and wear masks,” Brad says.
“That sets the tone and gives permission for our team members and the community to do the right thing.”
Brad says wearing masks, complying with lockdown guidelines and maintaining hygiene and social distancing are important for stopping the spread of COVID-19, but also a mark of respect for those on the frontline of healthcare.
“Out of respect for our healthcare professionals, we need to do this – let’s honour them and respect the amazing work they do.”
Brad praised the government for its tough stance, saying it was the best way to prevent a bigger outbreak.
“We need to protect what we have done so far in keeping our state safe, to get through it quicker,” he says.
Brad is urging people to refrain from panic buying and says they should steer clear of reports about empty shelves, which create a frenzy and generate fear.
“Watch what you need to watch, but don’t listen to all the commentary that’s going on about it.
“We have to stay calm and look forward.”
“We encourage everyone to follow the lockdown regulations and stay safe over the next three days,” says Shane Newcombe, CEO of Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT).
“But don’t forget some local businesses will still open, especially those who will be offering a takeaway or delivery service. Please try to support them through this time, if you can.”
Moreton Bay region foodies can discover local takeaway options open this weekend by joining the Facebook group What's On The Menu | Moreton Bay Region.
Redcliffe Markets has confirmed it will be closed on Sunday due to the three-day COVID-19 lockdown. The market organisers say they hope to reopen again, as usual, on January 17.
Old Petrie Town Sunday Markets will also be closed this Sunday.
Kippa-Ring Shopping Centre manager Jennifer Spratling says the centre is open, although beauty services, hairdressers and indoor play areas will close temporarily to meet the State Government’s new COVID-19 restrictions.
“With Kippa-Ring Shopping Centre located within the Greater Brisbane area, the centre will be entering lockdown restrictions from 6pm on Friday, January 8 to 6pm on Monday, January 11,” she says.
“The health and wellbeing of our community remains our unwavering top priority, and we continue to uphold a robust range of measures designed to help mitigate the spread of the virus within our centre and to help keep our community safe.”
Jennifer says already stringent cleaning processes will be stepped up, high-touch areas will be cleaned regularly with high-grade disinfectant, permanent hand sanitiser stations positioned throughout the Centre, extra signs about wearing masks installed and social distancing encouraged.
“We are closely monitoring updates from the relevant health and governing authorities in relation to COVID-19 and are prepared to respond accordingly as the situation develops, keeping our community informed as necessary.”
Morayfield Shopping Centre and Caboolture Shopping Centres will be open for ‘essential shopping’ during the three-day lockdown.
However, both shopping centres have released statements saying customers must follow COVID rules and masks are ‘mandatory’ at the centre.
Those in the Greater Brisbane area have been reminded by the State Government that all travel is restricted. You can only leave Greater Brisbane if:
If you are temporarily staying in the Greater Brisbane area in short-term or holiday accommodation when your booking expires, you may leave your accommodation to return to
However, you cannot leave the Greater Brisbane area during the lockdown period.
Full details on the restrictions are available here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/greater-brisbane-lockdown
Daniel Gschwind, Chief Executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), is urging tourism and hospitality business to follow Queensland Health guidelines on the three-day lockdown.
Mr Gschwind said the prompt action, “distressing as it is” would hopefully minimise the damage.
Across the region pharmacies have been swamped by demand for facemasks, although a dozen contacted by Moreton Daily reported still having stock.
Some pharmacies have placed limits on the number of masks people can buy, saying they were restricting purchases to two disposable masks per person or one box of disposable masks.
Chemist Warehouse at Redcliffe, Clontarf, North Lakes and Strathpine still had supplies about 10.30 this morning, as did Terry White Redcliffe, Bribie Community Pharmacy, Star Discount Arana Hills and Morayfield Day and Night.
Amcal Caboolture and Terry White Samford had limited supplies of fabric masks, while Infinity Pharmacy Burpengary had run out of disposable masks but had some reusable masks and filters.
At Patricks Rd Pharmacy Ferny Hills, masks were reportedly selling like hotcakes.
Queensland Health Minister and State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D'Ath took to Facebook to reminded residents that grocery shops will still be open this weekend, and are fully stocked.
All planned Moreton Bay Regional Council events have also been postponed. Council’s community halls will be closed and bookings cancelled.
The Active Holiday activities on Monday will be rescheduled - there are none scheduled over the weekend. Participants will be offered a refund if they can’t make the rescheduled date.
Caboolture Showgrounds has confirmed tomorrow’s planned Truck Show and Sunday’s weekly markets have been postponed.
Brisbane Roar’s A-League fixture at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday against Melbourne Victory has been postponed. Details of the rescheduled date will be released when available.
The Moreton Bay Region’s shopping centres will be following the COVID opening guidelines issued by the Queensland Government.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the safest thing to do this weekend is simply stay home. “This is literally a case of better being safe than sorry,” he says.
“Personally, I’ve cancelled my weekend scheduled events and I’m planning to stay home with my family. Use today to prepare for your weekend and plan to stay home.
“Council has cancelled all our scheduled events and activities through to Monday, so also think about how you can keep kids entertained at home.
“If it’s essential for you to be out this weekend, buy face masks as these will be compulsory.
“The last thing we want is a full-scale lockdown like Victoria or uncontrolled disease spread like we’ve seen overseas. Don’t take any unnecessary risks this weekend.
Football Brisbane has confirmed a suspension of all football relating activities from January 8-11, including pre-season friendlies, sign-on days and club meetings.
Teacher Gabrielle Turnbull said the Redcliffe Arts children’s workshops are still planning to start on Wednesday at the Comino’s Arcade venue, unless the three-day lockdown is extended.
For further information is available https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91279
Here's a summary of the restrictions announced this morning for Greater Brisbane. Information has been sourced from Queensland Health.
From 6PM, Friday 8 January to 6PM, Monday 11 January – Greater Brisbane will be in a three day lock down.
All residents living in these areas are required to stay at home – think of it as a long weekend at home.
GET TESTED
Everyone in Brisbane and indeed all of Queensland should continue to monitor your health and if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of how mild it is, to come forward and get tested and isolate until you get a negative result.
For anyone with concerns or is unsure if they need to get tested or isolate, please call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/covid19testing
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