CAIRNS LOCKDOWN: Taxi driver case triggers restrictions

Cairns and Yarrabah will go into a snap three-day lockdown from 4pm Sunday after a taxi driver tested positive to Covid. Here’s everything you need to know about the restrictions and council closures.

CAIRNS Regional Council local government area, along with Yarrabah, have been plunged into a three-day lockdown after a Cairns taxi driver tested positive to Covid.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the discovery of the positive case was “something we were not expecting.”

In the interests of public health and safety, this Covid-19 story has been unlocked.

Cairns - from Palm Cove to Babinda - will enter lockdown from 4pm today. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

FULL LIST: NEW EXPOSURE SITES ADDED FOR CAIRNS

The 60-year-old man has been infectious in the community for 10 days which chief health officer Jeannette Young described as a “real concern.”

He is linked to the reef pilot who tested positive for the Delta strain last week.

“There is a real risk this could already have spread. That is why from 4pm today we will need to go into lockdown,” Dr Young said on Sunday.

Scroll down for the full list of lockdown restrictions.

Cairns local government area. Source: ECQ

“As always, at the earliest sign of even the mildest symptoms, get tested and self-isolate until you get your result.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said people in Cairns and Yarrabah must adhere to the lockdown requirements and wear masks.

“Masks are one of the many tools we have to help limit the spread of the virus,” the Minister said.

“We’ve seen in SEQ that lockdowns and masks can work.”

RESIDENTS OUTSIDE CAIRNS, YARRABAH

Regional fever clinics outside Cairns and Yarrabah have reported unprecedented testing demand as the Far North nervously awaits the outcome of the three-day lockdown.

While the Port Douglas, Mossman, Innisfail and Kuranda communities are not under the same lockdown restrictions, their proximity means they should still be on high alert, according to Cairns MP Michael Healy.

Mossman Hospital director for nursing Peter LeGriffon said their swabbing clinic hours had been extended and “had been full” following the two positive Delta cases.

Multiple lines of patients filed into the Innisfail drive-through fever clinic at the town’s Showgrounds on Monday morning.

Nurse unit manager Sandy Campbell said it was the most cars she had seen since the clinic opened at its Pease Park location in November last year.

“There was just heaps of people,” she said.

“We we’re just super busy. We had two lines of cars coming in and there were cars backed up all the to the entry gate.”

Ms Campbell said despite it being one of Innisfail’s busiest days, the long wait times did not frustrate patients with no reports of aggressive behaviour towards clinic staff.

“It was really busy in the morning, (around midday) it usually always eases off a bit and we expect we’ll get some more this afternoon.”

Mr Healy encouraged anyone who has travelled to Cairns or Yarrabah since July 29 and is displaying symptoms to immediately get tested and self isolate at home.

A Covid-19 testing clinic at Mossman Hospital has been “full” since Sunday’s announcement. PHOTO: Mark Murray.

“I have had had a number of phone calls from people in Port Douglas, Mossman and Innisfail who have been to Cairns and are worried,” he said.

“The message is really clear, If you have been in Cairns and have flue like symptoms we need you to get tested and to self isolate.

“We have the testing facilities set up in all those areas so I can’t stress enough to get tested.

“That is the best thing we can do right now if you are outside of Cairns and Yarrabah.”

LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS

From 4pm Sunday, August 8, to 4pm Wednesday August 11 people in Cairns and Yarrabah LGAs will be required to stay home except for certain reasons.

During the lockdown period, you can only leave your residence (which includes temporary accommodation such as a holiday rental) for limited permitted purposes such as:

– Obtaining essential goods or services within 10km, including healthcare

– Exercising in your local area

– Attending essential work or school, and childcare for the children of essential workers or vulnerable children

– Assisting vulnerable persons

– Obtaining a COVID-19 test or vaccination

Essential work is work that cannot be done from your home.

You should stay within 10km of your home unless for essential reasons.

Only two visitors are allowed to your residence (excluding volunteers and workers), unless providing support to a vulnerable person.

You can exercise away from your home, within 10km, with your household group and/or one other person not from your household.

Cars line up at the Queensland Health Covid-19 testing centre at Portsmith on Aumuller Street after Cairns Covid case last week. Picture: Brendan Radke

MASKS

You must wear a face mask at all times when you leave home, including outdoors and for exercise, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as:

– Shopping centres and supermarkets

– Hospitals and aged care facilities, if permitted to visit

– Indoor workplaces (where safe to wear a mask and you can’t physically distance)

– Public transport, taxis and rideshare, and waiting places or queues for this transport, and

airports and travelling on planes.

Masks do not need to be worn in some circumstances, including children under 12 years, where people have certain medical conditions, and in workplaces where it is not safe to do so. Masks may be removed when sitting down to eat and drink and for employment purposes.

Mask wearing will be required for students, teachers and staff at high schools. Staff at primary schools will also be required to wear masks.

BUSINESS

Non-essential businesses are not allowed to operate. Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, hairdressers, beauty and personal care services, gyms and places of worship will all close.

Childcare centres will remain open for children of essential workers.

Restaurants and cafes can provide take away or home delivery services only.

FUNERALS, WEDDINGS AGED AND OTHER CARE

Funerals will be limited to 20 people, and weddings will be limited to 20 people, including the celebrant and the couple.

Restrictions on aged care, hospitals, disability care and correctional facilities apply with no personal visitors allowed. Anyone attending these facilities in Cairns and Yarrabah, including staff, must wear a mask. People will still be able to visit their loved ones who are at end of life.

TRAVEL

If you have been in Cairns Regional Council or Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Local Government Areas since the lockdown commenced, but have since returned to your home outside these areas you must observe the lockdown rules.

To find your nearest Covid testing clinic, click here.

Originally published as CAIRNS LOCKDOWN: Taxi driver case triggers restrictions