At 5pm yesterday (March 29) Greater Brisbane was plunged into a three-day lockdown after four locally acquired cases of the highly infectious UK strain of Covid-19 were recorded (the outbreak is now at 15 cases, with two distinct clusters). The lockdown applies to the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redlands council areas. Find details on restrictions for areas outside these locations here.

“This is the UK strain. It is highly infectious. We need to do this now to avoid a longer lockdown,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. “Just like the lockdown in January, this is designed to be a circuit breaker to limit community spread as much as possible.”

How long will it last?
Currently, the restrictions will apply until 5pm on Thursday April 1. The lockdown will be reviewed on Wednesday night, March 31.

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Can I leave my home?
You can leave your home (either with people from your household or with one person from outside your household) for the following reasons:
• Shopping for food or other essential items
• Medical care or caregiving
• Essential work, if you cannot work from home
• Exercise
• Legal obligations
• Child custody arrangements
• Visit for end of life
• In emergency situations
• To escape harm

When do I need to wear a mask?
You must carry a mask with you at all times (unless you have a lawful reason not to) during greater Brisbane’s lockdown and currently throughout all of Queensland. They must be worn indoors in places such as shopping centres, public transport and hospitality venues. It’s recommended you wear a mask outdoors, too, if you can’t stay more than 1.5 metres from other people.

Can I exercise with a friend?
People are allowed to exercise with people from their household or with one other person from a different household (if social distancing is observed). Bootcamps and personal training are restricted to two people outdoors (including the trainer), with physical distancing observed. Social sport is permitted, such as golf and tennis, limited to two people.

Are restaurants open?
Hospitality venues – including restaurants and cafes – can only remain open for takeaway only. Food markets and farmers markets can also operate. In the rest of Queensland, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs can only open for seated eating and drinking (no standing consumption).

Can I have a friend over?
No gatherings are permitted in greater Brisbane. There is a limit of two visitors to your home per day for giving or receiving support. In the rest of Queensland, gatherings in people’s homes are limited to 30 people.

Are funerals permitted?
Yes, but they must be limited to 20 people, excluding officials.

Are weddings permitted?
Yes, but they must be limited to 10 guests, including celebrant and witnesses. Wedding receptions or other events post-wedding or funeral should be postponed.

Are schools closed?
Schools will be closed from Tuesday March 30 until term 2 begins on Monday April 19, except for vulnerable children and children of essential workers. Childcare centres will remain open.

What else is closed?
All non-essential businesses in greater Brisbane, including:
• Places of worship, except for weddings and funerals
• Hairdressers, spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlours
• Auction houses and open house inspections, except by private appointment
• Entertainment venues, including cinemas and theatres
• Public swimming pools (including hotel and apartment complex pools)
• Galleries, museums and libraries
• Major sports stadiums and indoor sporting centres

• Non-essential retail
• Indoor and outdoor events (e.g. marathons, cultural festivals, fetes)
• Gyms, health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and dance studios

Stay up to date with the latest health directions via Queensland Health. Make sure you stay home when you’re sick and get tested if you have Covid-19 symptoms. Keep a distance of 1.5 metres from others and wash your hands regularly. Find your nearest testing clinic here.

More information here

Additional reporting by Miriam Kauppi