Here’s What You Need to Know About Brisbane’s COVID-19 Lockdown

Queensland has recorded eight new local coronavirus cases.

Over the weekend, we watched Brisbane make the snap call to go into another three-day coronavirus lockdown after several community spread cases of the virus’ UK strain were confirmed.

With everything happening so fast, you may be wondering what exactly went down, and what you can and can't do if you live in Brissy.

So, let’s clear some things up for you.

What happened in Brisbane?

On Sunday, the QLD government became aware of four new locally transmitted coronavirus cases.

Firstly, the brother of a person who had contracted the virus came back as positive, then two colleagues of that brother were also found to be infectious.

Later that night, a nurse working in a coronavirus ward also came forward as the fourth case.

On Monday, the total number of cases confirmed in the state increased to seven, including a sister of the coronavirus ward nurse. As of today, eight new locally acquired cases have been announced.

Quickly following the discovery of the fourth case, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk initiated a snap lockdown from 5pm Sunday evening until 5pm Wednesday 31 March.

Ms Palaszczuk explained during a press conference that the lockdown was a "protective measure".

"This is the UK strain. It is highly infectious. We need to do this now to avoid a longer lockdown and that lockdown will commence at 5pm this afternoon.

"This is a huge job now that we have to do because we have got more of this community transmission."

Now, the total number of cases have skyrocketed to 15 with two coronavirus clusters officially identified.

Which areas are affected?

When the snap lockdown was introduced, it was unclear how all the cases were connected, so the lockdown was implemented in the majority of the Greater Brisbane area.

This includes five council areas, not just suburbs: Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Morton and Brisbane.

What can and can’t I do?

We’ve all done this lockdown thing before, so you probably know exactly what’s expected of Brissy residents but in case you need a refresher, here are the most important things you should know.

For starters, there are only four reasons why you can leave your home if you live in one of the Greater Brisbane lockdown zones. This includes grocery shopping, exercise, essential work or study and/or to care for vulnerable people.

Schools are shut from today but students whose parents are essential workers will still have to attend classrooms.

All Queenslanders are being asked to wear facemasks where they cannot socially distance and residents in the Greater Brisbane area are being urged to wear them, so now’s the time to stock up.

As expected, shops, cafes, pubs, hospitals, prisons and aged care facilities will be shut or closed to visitors for the lockdown period. Grocery stores like Coles and Woolies will stay open and food services can provide take-away services.

Look, we know another lockdown is a pretty annoying thing to come right before the school holidays, so we're keeping our fingers crossed for Brisbane.

You got this, QLD!

Header Image: Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images