NSW slaps new rules on Qld travellers

The move came after Queensland announced a three-day lockdown of Brisbane, which will begin at 6pm Friday. NSW will make anyone who has been in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, and Redlands from January 2 self-isolate. “What we have immediately put in place is that anyone who has departed, left, worked, or been in those areas since January 2 and have subsequently come into NSW, are obliged to self isolate or basically have the same application of the stay-at-home order,” NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said.

“That means they can only do essential tasks such as going out for exercise, but they need to wear a mask, and they need to keep away from others, they obviously have to attend essential healthcare and other essential things.”She also said those people would be advised not to go to aged care facilities.“We will advise the aged care sector to screen anyone who may have been in that area. It is critical we protect our aged care, part of our usual response and we have evidence of concern, we immediately advise the aged care sector to prevent visitors to the most vulnerable in our community,” Dr Chant said. The lockdown in Queensland was decided on after a woman who worked as a cleaner was infected with the new, more virulent strain of coronavirus that originated in the United Kingdom. It will be in effect until 6pm Monday. During the lockdown, residents will be allowed to leave home for four reasons only: essential work, to shop for essentials, to provide essential care, and for exercise.Masks will be a must outside homes. Restaurants and cafes can remain open for takeaway only.Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said she was confident Queenslanders could respond to the threat of the mutant virus spreading.“If we can get on top of this today, we’ll be able to manage it and we won’t need to go back into a longer lockdown period,” Dr Young said.“We need to act fast … and find every single case now. We need to find any person who might have had contact with that case and get them into quarantine.“That’s what we have to do over the next three days.”