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Brisbane's Lockdown To End Tomorrow? Easter Travel Still Looking Promising

The encouraging news this morning is that Greater Brisbane's snap three-day lockdown could still end on Thursday afternoon at 5pm after record testing yesterday in Queensland and the number of coronavirus cases only growing by two to 17.

The encouraging news this morning is that Greater Brisbane’s snap three-day lockdown could still end on Thursday afternoon at 5pm after record testing yesterday in Queensland and the number of coronavirus cases only growing by two to 17.

Take a deep breath, because Greater Brisbane’s lockdown could still end on Thursday afternoon at 5pm after the number of coronavirus cases only grew by two to 17.

Only two new locally acquired cases in Queensland were reported after a record 33,408 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says both new cases are linked to existing cases and there are no further cases of community transmission.

She indicated a decision on extending the lockdown, which due to end at 5pm on Thursday, will be made in the next 24 hours, likely to be in her media briefing on Thursday morning at 9am Queensland time.

“It depends on the testing rates again, so if we see very good testing rates across Queensland, and we don’t see any unlinked community transmission, the signs for Easter are looking positive,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This is very, very encouraging news, the fact that we do not have any unlinked community transmission in the southeast of the state is absolutely encouraging.” She said.

Meanwhile, in NSW, the news is also upbeat with state premier Gladys Berejiklian announced this morning that only 1 case of community transmission had been reported as of 11am on Wednesday.

The individual case attended the Byron Bay Beach Hotel in Northern NSW and was seated next to the two women from Queensland last weekend who were infected with the UK strain of the virus.

Ms Berejiklian also announced that masks will be mandatory for Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore Shire residents until the end of Easter with the four square metre rule and no standing rule reinstated for venues.

Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore Shire residents have also been asked not to travel outside of their local areas over Easter long weekend.

In some welcome news for the travel and tourism industry, there were no plans to close the NSW-Queensland border, nor plans to tighten restrictions further, Ms Berejiklian told reporters.

The major music festival, Bluesfest, which will see 16,000 people attend a day is still due to go ahead this Easter weekend at this stage.

What are the current travel restrictions in place?

Brisbane
Brisbane River

As of yesterday, New South Wales has not closed Its border to Greater Brisbane but is advising caution for NSW residents planning to head north for the Easter holidays.

Anyone arriving in NSW from Greater Brisbane must complete a self-declaration form.

Get the latest info here

Victoria closed Its border to Greater Brisbane at 6pm on Monday night until further notice, declaring it a ‘Red Zone’. Gladstone in Queensland and the Byron Shire in NSW have also been declared ‘Orange Zones’, meaning residents travelling to VIC must isolate and get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arriving.

Get the latest info here

Tasmania has closed its border until further notice with Greater Brisbane. Anyone travelling to the state from Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich or the Redlands will not be able to enter without quarantining for up to two weeks.

Get the latest info here

The Barossa Valley, South Australia
The Barossa Valley, South Australia

South Australia closed its border until further notice to Greater Brisbane at 4pm on Monday including Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan.

Get the latest info here

Western Australia has reintroduced its hard border until further notice with Queensland, which will move from a “low risk” to a “medium risk” state. Only exempt travellers can enter WA from Queensland.

Anyone arriving in WA from Queensland since March 27 must self-quarantine for 14 days and get tested for COVID-19.

Get the latest info here

The Australian Capital Territory now considers Greater Brisbane a hot spot and is urging people against travelling there at this time. Mandatory quarantine applies to all people entering Canberra since March 15.

Get the latest info here

The Northern Territory brought in new restrictions on Monday for anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane and Gladstone since March 25, or from the Byron Shire in NSW since March 27. All arrivals must self-quarantine and get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours.

Get the latest info here