CHO warns lockdown will be extended unless QLD does something ‘really, really, really special’

Queenslanders should hold off buying sun lounges and avoid online shopping amid warnings the lockdown will be extended unless something “really, really, really special” happens.

Queenslanders have been warned off online shopping and told to hold off buying “sun lounges” amid warnings the lockdown would be extended unless the state did something “really, really, really” special.

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young on Wednesday said people should reconsider online shopping, unless it’s for essential goods, to minimise the number of people in the community delivering packages.

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young and Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Brad Fleet

“If we don’t do something really, really, really special in Queensland, we’ll be extending the lockdown so please, I ask of all of you, try your absolute hardest to stay at home if you possibly can,” she said.

“I’m sure no one who lives in those 11 LGAs wants to be the person that means we have to continue those restrictions beyond 4pm on Sunday.”

Dr Young conceded there were “gaps” in the health directions.

“So, I’m not a lawyer, and I’ve got a really good team who write directions, but of course there are gaps in those directions,” she said.

“I need every single person who lives in the 11 LGAs, instead of reading a direction and working out what they might be able to do under that direction, instead, when you open your front door, could you please think – do I really need to go outside my front door today?

“Maybe just stay home because you can only move this virus around, if the person moves around.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles warned now was not the time to buy outdoor furniture.

“There will be time before summer to get sun lounges,” he said.

Mr Miles said the onus was on the individual to have a reason as to why they were leaving home.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said it was up to Queenslanders as to whether the lockdown was extended.

“As Dr Young says, don’t worry about what the directives and the law says – do you want to go out and risk getting the virus and bringing it back to your household and risk an extension of the lockdown?” she said.