Explained: Why this will be Qld’s toughest lockdown yet

As the state moves into “uncharted waters” after a spike in highly infectious Delta cases, authorities warn this lockdown will be our toughest yet. This is what you need to know.

Queenslanders are set to go into their toughest lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic as the state moves into “uncharted pandemic waters” and health authorities take a no-nonsense stance to containing a Delta cluster that includes children.

Infectious disease experts report that the Queensland Government is going hard as they have learned from the mistakes made in the rampant NSW spread.

“This cluster is uncharted territory. It’s different. We have a wide range of ages involved and our focus is now on schools,” infectious disease expert Associate Professor Paul Griffin said.

The Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has also admitted she is braced for a massive number of exposure sites throughout Brisbane.

From 4pm on Saturday, Queenslanders will go into a three-day lockdown where for the first time masks are mandated for high school students, no visitors are allowed in homes, people can’t travel further than 10km from where they live and funerals and weddings will be restricted to 10 people.

Grocery stores will remain open during the lockdown, with the Deputy Premier Steven Miles urging people to not rush to the supermarkets.

Six new cases of the highly infectious Delta strain were confirmed today. The young sister of the 17-year-old student from Indooroopilly State High School who tested positive has also returned a positive test.

Both the high school and Ironside State School are in 14 days quarantine.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The girls’ parents and relatives, as well as a tutor, are among those who tested positive for Covid-19 overnight.

It is believed the girl was unknowingly infectious in the community for three days from Tuesday, including two days while at school.

“I suspect that that medical student is the index case and has taken it into that household and spread it into that household,” Dr Young told the morning press conference.

Prof Griffin said family households are an environment where the virus can take hold and travel around all family members

“This cluster shows the reason why we need to have no visitors to homes,” he said.

WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO DURING THE LOCKDOWN

- If in doubt, stay at home.

- Anyone who has left one of the 11 local government areas to other parts of Queensland must follow the same lockdown orders.

- People will only be able to travel within 10km of their home for essential reasons.

- Childcare centres will remain open, but only to the students whose parents are essential workers.

- Schools will remain open, but only to the students whose parents are essential workers.

- Masks mandatory for everyone at high schools, including students.

- No visitors to homes within those LGAs.

- People will only be able to travel within 10km of their home when buying essential goods and medication.

- Schools will remain open, but only to those students whose parents are essential workers.

- Childcare will also remain open to children whose parents are essential workers.

- Tough restrictions will apply to funerals and weddings, with only 10 people allowed to attend.

- Cinemas will be closed.

- Gyms will be closed.

- Places of worship closed.

- Grocery stores will remain open.

- You may leave home to exercise within a radius of 10km.

- You may leave home to provide help, care or support to others.

- You may leave home to get tested for Covid-19.

- All those getting tested for Covid-19 MUST return home after getting tested.

- You may leave home to get vaccinated.