Brisbane locks down, mask-wearing imposed across the state
COVID-19
Greater Brisbane has been plunged into a three-day lockdown while the rest of Queensland is being asked to wear a mask after four cases of COVID-19 were detected in the community overnight.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the four new cases were of the highly contagious UK variant and are believed to be linked to the PA Hospital cluster, which started three weeks ago after a doctor treating a COVID-19 patient was infected.
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"Two are known cases of one of the previous people, then we have two under investigation, but we believe one of them is a nurse from the PA hospital," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Now what this says to us is the fact that there is now more community transmission and these people have been out and about in the community.”
There are now seven cases in total in the outbreak. One of the new cases had travelled to Gladstone from March 25 to 28 while two travelled to Byron Bay during their infection period.
Easter holidays are sitting on a knifes-edge with the restrictions set to be reviewed on Wednesday evening, however, Ms Palaszczuk said it is the “right thing to do based on the health advice.
"We've seen what's happened in other countries. I don't want to see that happen to Queensland. I don't want to see that happen to Australia. I know it is a really big call.
"I know it is really tough. We have Easter coming up, we have school holidays coming up but let's do it now and let's do it right and let's see if we can."
The premier has declared Greater Brisbane a hotspot and has asked other states to do so as well.
Six new cases were also recorded in hotel quarantine overnight.