Covid QLD: Three new local cases, warning not to travel into NSW

Queensland has recorded three new cases of Covid-19 overnight, all linked to the Indooroopilly school cluster and all picked up in home quarantine. It comes as authorities warn residents to avoid travelling into NSW.

Queensland has recorded three new cases of Covid-19 overnight, all linked to the Indooroopilly schools cluster, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warns Queenslanders not to cross the border into NSW.

Ms Palaszczuk said all cases were picked up in home quarantine. none of them were infectious in the community.

One case is a student at Brisbane Boys Grammar School, the second is a student at Ironside and the third is a household contact of two known cases of Brisbane Boys Grammar School.

The Indooroopilly Delta cluster has now has infected more than 100 people.

There have been no further cases in Cairns.

Ms Palaszczuk said the “short sharp” lockdown in South East Queensland had worked incredibly well but that the state is not out of the woods.

“We could see clusters or cases popping up from time to time until we get the majority of our state vaccinated,” she said.

More than 33,000 people in Queensland are now in quarantine and more than 11,000 vaccinations have been delivered.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will updated on Covid cases. Photo: Sarah Marshall

Ms Palaszczuk said while the situation in Queensland was excellent, she issued a warning for Queenslanders not to travel across the border zone into NSW after four Far North shires - Byron, Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley - were declared hotspots.

She said police would increase their presence on the border to stop people travelling back and forth - except for essential work.

“Queenslanders don’t travel there at all,” she said.

Dr Young urged anyone who had been in those four LGAs and had since returned to Queensland to abide by the stay at home orders

“It is really important that anyone in Queensland that has been in any of those 4 LGAs since the 31st of July... that you now are bound by those same requirements New South Wales has put in place.”

“Anyone who has been in those four LGAs when he was there, now need to stay at home unless for those four reasons.”

The border bubble with northern NSW is under the microscope with Byron Bay plunged into a snap lockdown after a Covid-infected man fled Sydney and took the virus to the Far North NSW town.

The man who travelled to Byron Bay with his two children while infectious with Covid has been accused of not believing in the virus.

He did not travel into Queensland.

Byron Mayor Michael Lyon accused the man of not using QR codes while in the region and refusing to co-operate with health officials.

The man is now being treated at Lismore Hospital as his case forced Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina local government areas into lockdown.

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police would be intercepting more people as they cross the border and that a new border pass would be required.

He said there had been no arrests in the past 24 hours in relation to Covid-19 restrictions, but said he wanted to see more people wearing masks.

The Indooroopilly Delta cluster has now has infected more than 100 people.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the fact that today’s three cases tested positive on day seven, eight and nine highlighted the importance of a 14-day quarantine period.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said $70 million would be shared with struggling businesses hit by Covid-19, as reported in The Courier-Mail today.

He said the $70 mill package would include payroll tax deferrals for tourism and hospitality businesses, some fees and charges would be waived, waiving or refunding all liquor licensing fees for this year, setting aside 20 mill for a Covid cleaning funs. Govt will pay up to 80 per cent of vie among costs if a business becomes a Covid exposure site.