Covid Queensland: Premier's warning despite promising case news
There are no further cases associated to a hotel quarantine leak in Queensland overnight, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday.
The positive news follows the emergence of one new locally acquired case late on Monday.
The case was the husband of a cleaner who contracted the virus from hotel quarantine, sparking a three-day lockdown in Greater Brisbane which ended 6pm Monday.
The husband had been in isolation since January 7 with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warning there was no guarantee he did not pass the virus on before doing so.
“We wouldn't be surprised if there were additional cases than the ones that we have identified, because it is highly contagious,” she told Channel Nine’s Today show.
He was tested immediately after his partner’s positive test on January 7 but initially returned a negative result.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young told reporters on Tuesday “a risk” remained to the community after the man visited several venues in the Brisbane area, including a Bunnings store on January 5.
He visited the Acacia Ridge Bunnings store between 2pm and 2.40pm and Sunnybank Cellars in Sunnybank Hills on January 6 between 2.05pm and 2.15pm.
Anyone who visited those sites as that time are urged to get tested immediately regardless of symptoms.
“Just remember the incubation period is 14 days and there is no evidence that the incubation period for this new variant is any different,” Dr Young said.
“We just have to wait and we need to maintain all of the systems and processes we have all got in place as individuals to protect ourselves if this were to spread.”
Anyone who visited Woolworths Calanvale North between 11.00am and midday on January 3, Coles SunnyBank Hills shopping town in Sunnybank Hills between 7.30am and 8.00am and the Nextra Sunnybank news agency on Tuesday January 5 between 8.00am and 8.15am are urged to get tested as well.
There were a further two cases confirmed in hotel quarantine.
New set of restrictions begin
Masks are mandatory in supermarkets, shops, indoor markets, places of worship, libraries, gyms and indoor recreational facilities such as cinemas and art galleries until January 22 in Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redlands.
They also must be worn on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles and should be carried at all times.
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said while officers would enforce mask-wearing they may also offer people masks if they don't have one.
"We will always give people the opportunity to comply with the directions," he said.
"However, if people choose not to do that, there are strict penalties that apply and up to a $1300 fine could be imposed."
Gatherings in private homes have been capped at 20 people and capacity is restricted at pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Dr Young also said an ongoing investigation into how the hotel cleaner became infected may not be conclusive.
Police are trying to recreate the entire timeline to pinpoint any specific breach.
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