Summary of today's announcements

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. 

• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Redland City Council
• Brisbane City Council

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: 

• Shopping for essentials, food and necessary supplies
• Medical or healthcare needs, including compassionate requirements
• Exercise with no more than one other person, unless all from the same household
• Providing care or assistance to an immediate family member
• Work, or volunteering, or study if it is not reasonably practicable to work or learn remotely
• Child custody arrangements
• Legal obligations
• Visit for end of life
• Attend funeral or wedding in line with restrictions

Restrictions also mandated that:

• No more than two visitors to the household per day (in addition to anyone else currently staying in the household), excluding care workers or volunteers
• All businesses that can remain open must adhere to one person per 4 square metres with maximum of 20 to 50 with COVID Safe or Industry Plan
• Restaurants and cafes to provide takeaway service only
• Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, gyms etc to close
• Places of worship to close
• Weddings involve a maximum of 10 people, including the celebrant and witnesses
• Funerals involve a maximum of 20 people
• Mandatory mask wearing anywhere outside of your home
• No visitors to aged care facilities, hospitals, disability accommodation services or correctional facilities.
• Limit of 2 visitors in homes in addition to people already residing in the home.
• Restaurants and cafes to provide take away or home delivery only.
• Cinemas, entertainment venues and recreation venues, beauty and personal care services, gyms, places of worship will be closed.

Read today's rolling coverage below to find information regarding:

• Mask availability.
• Shopping centres which are open over the lockdown period.
• Messages from community leaders.
• Moreton Bay Regional Council facilities open/closed over the lockdown period. 
• Travel restrictions explained.
• Updates on markets closures across the region.
• Sports match cancellations.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 4:20PM

Libraries and museums closed, playgrounds and dog parks open

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:

• Council customer service centres
• Moreton Bay Region Libraries
• Galleries and museums
• Aquatic facilities and swimming pools
• Environmental centres
• Morayfield Sport & Events Centre
• QSEC (Queensland State Equestrian Centre)

Venues to remain open:

• Outdoor gyms and exercise equipment
• Skate parks
• Playgrounds
• Dog parks (dog off-leash areas)
• BMX tracks

For more information regarding Moreton Bay Regional Council updates, please visit here mbrc.link/service-update

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 2:15PM

"We need to do this"

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.”

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 2:09PM

Food for thought

“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.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 1:50PM

Markets Closed this Sunday

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. 

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 1:32PM

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.”

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 1:00PM

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.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 12:08PM

Travel Restrictions

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:

• you have an exemption from the Chief Health Officer;
• in emergency situations;
• if you entered the impacted area responding to an emergency as an emergency health services or emergency service worker or national defence, state security or police officer; or
• if required to allow an essential service to occur such as the transport of freight in and out of Greater Brisbane

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

• your place of residence in the Greater Brisbane area only or
• other accommodation in the Greater Brisbane area only.

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

Tourism & Hospitality Industries Urged to Comply with Restrictions

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.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 11:34AM

Facemask supplies

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.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATED AT 11:03AM

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.

Match off

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.

Events cancelled

“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

SUMMARY OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

Greater Brisbane includes:

• Logan City Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Redland City Council
• Brisbane City Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council

All residents living in these areas are required to stay at home – think of it as a long weekend at home.

If we do not do this now, there may be longer lock downs required.

You may leave your house for the following reasons:

• Shopping for essentials, food and necessary supplies
• Medical or healthcare needs, including compassionate requirements
• Exercise with no more than one other person, unless all from the same household
• Providing care or assistance to an immediate family member
• Work, or volunteering, or study if it is not reasonably practicable to work or learn remotely
• Child custody arrangements
• Legal obligations
• Visit for end of life
• Attend funeral or wedding in line with restrictions

If you are leaving your home you must wear a mask

To further assist the minimisation of any spread of COVID-19, the following will also apply:

• No more than two visitors to the household per day (in addition to anyone else currently staying in the household), excluding care workers or volunteers
• All businesses that can remain open must adhere to one person per 4 square metres with maximum of 20 to 50 with COVID Safe or Industry Plan
• Restaurants and cafes to provide takeaway service only
• Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, gyms etc to close
• Places of worship to close
• Weddings involve a maximum of 10 people, including the celebrant and witnesses
• Funerals involve a maximum of 20 people
• Mandatory mask wearing anywhere outside of your home
• No visitors to aged care facilities, hospitals, disability accommodation services or correctional facilities.
• Limit of 2 visitors in homes in addition to people already residing in the home.
• Restaurants and cafes to provide take away or home delivery only.
• Cinemas, entertainment venues and recreation venues, beauty and personal care services, gyms, places of worship will be closed.

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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