Queensland Health has clarified transit restrictions in place from 6pm last night (Friday, 9 January), limiting incoming and outgoing movements from the Greater Brisbane Area.
Greater Brisbane will go into lockdown for three days, while contact tracers work to ensure the UK variant of COVID-19 is not circulating in the community.
Individuals are able to leave the Greater Brisbane area for essential reasons during the lockdown period but must continue to follow the lockdown rules.
From 6pm Friday 8 January to 6pm Monday 11 January, people in the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan will be required to stay at home except for essential reasons.
Those leaving the Greater Brisbane area during this time may do so for essential reasons or to return home, but must also remain at their residence and limit their movements until the lockdown period has ended.
We’re also asking anyone who was in Greater Brisbane on or since 2 January to follow the same lockdown rules where they are now. Only leave your home for the essential reasons and wear a mask.
Additionally, those who transit into Greater Brisbane from surrounding areas for work, volunteering, study, healthcare or to support a vulnerable person may do so if it is not reasonably practicable to work or learn remotely.
These individuals must also follow the lockdown rules during this period, as they have been exposed to the Greater Brisbane community.
In what circumstances can I leave Greater Brisbane during the lockdown period?
You can leave Greater Brisbane during the lockdown period for essential reasons, but you must continue to follow the lockdown rules.
- 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
- In emergency situations
- To escape harm
- 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
- If required to allow an essential service to occur such as the transport of freight in and out of Greater Brisbane
- You’re directed to leave by an emergency health officer
- You have an exemption from the Chief Health Officer.
You can return to your home outside of Greater Brisbane but you must follow the same lockdown rules when you return home. Only leave your home for the essential reasons and wear a mask.
You can also transit through Greater Brisbane without stopping.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
Public transport mask mandate to end
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
