Lockdown will lift early in Brisbane, ending at midday today (Queensland time), after just one new case of community transmission that's linked to an existing cluster of Covid-19.
A record 34,711 tests were done in the past 24 hours in the Greater Brisbane area. (file pic) Photo: AFP
Greater Brisbane went into a lockdown on Tuesday after four community cases were detected - two of those were linked to a 26-year-old landscaper from Stafford who tested positive to the highly infectious UK strain last week. Two of the cases had an unknown origin.
More than two million residents of Australia's third-largest city had been asked this week to stay home as authorities tried to contain two distinct virus clusters, which had increased to 18 cases by yesterday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told a media briefing today that testing rates, low case numbers, and the fact that community transmission had been linked to existing cases, allowed authorities to give the green light.
"Easter is good to go," she said.
"I understand a lot of families in Greater Brisbane have made plans and the last thing we want to see are accidents on our roads at 5pm this afternoon and into the evening."
However, some restrictions will remain across the state.
Palaszczuk said for the next two weeks, from midday until 15 April, all Queenslanders would be required to carry a mask when they left their home.
"We will also ask you to wear those masks in indoor spaces such as shopping centres and supermarkets, indoor workplaces, public transport," she said.
All patrons at food or beverage venues must be seated, and there will be no dancing, the premier said.
Gatherings at homes across the state will also be limited to 30.
Businesses will be able to reopen, but will need to adhere to one person per 2 square metre rule.
"We are not out of the woods yet," she said.
"I'm asking Queenslanders, all Queenslanders, for the next two weeks if we all do the right thing, we can get through this together."
The state recorded a total of 10 new cases, nine in hotel quarantine and one in the community.
A record 34,711 tests were done in the past 24 hours.
New South Wales reported one case yesterday, linked to the Brisbane cluster, prompting tighter restrictions to be enforced over the long weekend.
Those restrictions include gathering limits and social distancing in hospitality venues.
- ABC / Reuters