Queensland records zero new cases but no promise on lockdown

Queensland has again recorded no new cases of COVID-19 but the Premier and Chief Health Officer refuse to say if lockdown will be lifted tomorrow, even if no new cases are recorded. VOTE IN POLL

Queensland has again recorded no new cases of COVID-19 but the Premier and Chief Health Officer are refusing to say if lockdown will be lifted tomorrow.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed there were no new cases in the 24 hours to this morning.

SHOULD LOCKDOWN LIFT IF NO NEW CASES MONDAY? VOTE BELOW

“That’s wonderful news and please keep up the wonderful effort,” she said.

“So far so good.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the zero cases was “wonderful” but would not commit to lockdown being lifted Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

She said there were 20 active cases in the state.

It comes after no new locally acquired cases were recorded on Friday or Saturday, following Greater Brisbane being sent into lockdown over fears the mutant UK strain of COVID-19 could spread through the community after a quarantine hotel cleaner became infected.

Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged she was “very anxious” on Friday morning but said Queensland’s world-first response had stood the state well.

“Finger’s crossed we’ll come out of this,” she said.

Greater Brisbane remains in lockdown, which started 6pm Friday and is scheduled to end Monday 6pm, with the Premier refusing to rule out extending the restrictions.

“We will be updating you again tomorrow at 9am,” she said.

Later she said: “Let’s see what our numbers are tomorrow and then we will update Queensland about what the proposed steps forward are following on from that.”

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young also refused to say if the lockdown would be lifted on Monday.

“Can I see tomorrow’s case numbers before I respond,” she said when asked.

“It’s really a short period that we’ve looked at. Let’s see what tomorrow tells us.”

When pressed again if lockdown would be lifted if tomorrow’s numbers were again zero, Dr Young said: “Let’s get the numbers and work out we’re doing.”

Brisbane’s CBD is expected to remain a ghost town tomorrow as Health Minister Yvette D’Ath reminded workers to stay at home unless they are an essential worker.

“We need to ensure we are taking the strongest measures possible to keep us safe,” she said.

“Thank you Queensland. We believe our response is world-leading.”

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young also wouldn’t be drawn into a lockdown decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Dr Young said it was too early to say what the new UK variant would mean for the community but said it was “critically important” that people came forward for testing.

Dr Young said she was “relieved” the UK strain had not spread, but said it was “too early” to celebrate.

“It shows Queenslanders are fantastic at responding,” she said.

“We acted very very fast.

“It is too early to say what this new virus means.

“This is the first time we’ve seen this in our community in Australia.”

After the press conference, Ms Palaszczuk took to Twitter to address the lockdown, tweeting sections of an opinion piece published in The Sunday Mail.

“There is only one thing we know for sure about the UK version: it’s even more contagious.

“That is why I ordered this lockdown,” she wrote.

“Having fought all year to keep this state safe from the pandemic, all of Australia is now watching us to see if we can be equally successful with this new strain.

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s support for these measures and for the support of other states and territories.

“If you want a cheer up, just read the messages on social media from Victorians. They know what we’re going through.

“I am also grateful for the support of mayors & business groups who acknowledge a short, sharp lockdown is better for all of us than the pain of a prolonged one.

“For those who have had party or wedding plans interrupted I am sorry, but I would rather a temporary interruption than to be going through the devastation this virus is causing in other countries.

“One in 50 have tested positive in the UK. In Australia it’s one in 85,000.

“That’s what’s at stake for us.”

Elsewhere, three new locally acquired COVID-19 cases have been reported in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday while Victoria recorded no new cases of local transmission.