Queensland records two new Covid-19 cases as Premier announces vaccination rollout at state’s food depots

Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is extremely disappointed by protesters at the border amid two new Covid cases and warnings, due to the NSW outbreak, the situation in Queensland could “change any day”.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is extremely disappointed by the actions of protesters at the Queensland border with NSW on Sunday.

It comes as she announces employees at food depots will be offered the chance to be vaccinated at work under a priority plan to protect critical food supply.

Ms Palaszczuk announced the plan at a Woolworths food distribution centre at Larapinta Monday morning – one of 28 crucial depots identified.

Two new cases were recorded in Queensland overnight, including one that is linked to the Indooroopilly cluster.

Ms Palaszczuk said the other case was detected in hotel quarantine and acquired overseas.

She said authorities were very concerned about what was happening in southern states.

“We have to be incredibly vigilant,” she said.

A protest at the Queensland border with NSW on Sunday. Picture: Scott Powick

Ms Palaszczuk said she was “extremely disappointed” by the protesters at the Queensland border with NSW on Sunday

She said people in northern NSW who took place in the protest need to abide by the NSW Government’s stay at home orders.

“We are seeing an escalation of the Delta strain in NSW and of course we are concerned that will creep further north,” she said.

“Our police are doing everything they possibly can to keep Queenslanders safe and I would ask people to be respectful towards police and respectful towards their community.

“I know this is a difficult time for the community.

“The way you get through this, if you have a stay at home order is to stay at home.”

Asked what states agreed to regarding the Doherty research, the Premier said that work was done predicated on 30 cases.

“At the moment, there’s thousands of cases,” she said.

She said further work was now being done in recognition of that.

“But we know the fastest way out of this is through vaccinations,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Delta was incredibly infectious, and the other concern was children.

“We have to get children vaccinated, especially in those high school years … because we know that it can be spread.”

“This is a big job,” she said.

Nine people were arrested during the protest at the Queensland border. Picture: Richard Gosling

Ms Palaszczuk said everyone was still aiming for the 70 to 80 per cent vaccination goal.

But everyone on national cabinet had also agreed the extra modelling needed to be done based on the current situation.

“They have commissioned more research because the goalposts have changed. it was premised on there being 30 cases in the community and now there are thousands,” she said of the Doherty research.

She said her goal was always to suppress the virus and so there would be some limited and specified restrictions and lockdowns going forward.

“This is a book that hasn’t been written, folks,” she said.

“This is uncharted territory.”

She said she “absolutely” still supported the 70 to 80 per cent vaccination targets and her government was doing everything it could to make it easier to get a jab.

Ms Palaszczuk said “we want to see Australia reunited again as quickly and safely as possible”.

“But this is the Delta strain, we know how infectious it is,” she said.

Vaccinated co-ordinators are working with eight food distribution centres and 20 meatworks that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have identified as critical for food supply throughout Queensland.

The jabs will begin at those workplaces next week.

Ms Palaszczuk is providing an update on its vaccination rollout will come amid growing anger over border restrictions and lockdown targets.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Chief health officer Jeannette Young said the new case posed no risk to Queenslanders because it was detected in home quarantine.

She said the biggest risk going forward were the growing cases interstate.

“Eventually it will cross,” she said.

Queenslanders have again been encouraged to get vaccinated.

Dr Young said authorities were rapidly immunising those who had registered and that more people needed to register.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Queenslanders were grateful for distribution centre workers throughout lockdowns.

“We’ve worked really closely with our supermarket chains to make sure they’ve been able to keep operating throughout the pandemic,” he said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said it was important Queenslanders entering NSW followed stay at home directions when returning to Queensland.

Ms D’Ath said 112,397 people had been vaccinated in the past seven days, as well as 221 people vaccinated in the state’s First Nation’s clinic.

More than 210 essential workers have crossed the Queensland border since 5pm yesterday, with none refused entry.