CHO Jeannette Young answers your COVID questions
We asked you to submit your COVID questions for the Chief Health Officer to consider. Here are her answers.
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1 Who is in lockdown?
Any one who lives in, or has been in, Brisbane, Moreton, Redlands, Ipswich or Logan local government areas since January 2.
2 What are the reasons I can leave home?
For essential work, to get groceries, to get healthcare for yourself or a vulnerable person or to exercise.
3 What if I live in another Queensland area, but have visited Brisbane since January 2?
You must stay at home, no matter where in Queensland you live, if you’ve been in those areas since January 2.
4 Are there limits on what can be bought at supermarkets?
Yes, supermarkets are enforcing limits on staple items.
5 Can I have visitors?
Yes, people in lockdown areas are permitted two visitors at their home.
6 Can I get an uber or taxi?
Yes, but you must sit in the back seat and you must wear a mask.
7 Can I get takeaway?
Yes. Cafes and restaurants are only permitted to sell takeaway in areas which are locked down.
8 Are bars and nightclubs open?
No.
9 Do I need a referral for a COVID-19 test?
No, there are clinics which do not require a referral. Information on these is at health.qld.gov.au
10 Who should be tested?
Anyone with symptoms, or anyone who has been in locations a COVID-positive cleaner visited while infectious with the mutant UK strain.
11 What rules do other states have in place?
Western Australia has closed its borders to all of Queensland. South Australia requires anyone arriving from Greater Brisbane to isolate for 14 days. The Northern Territory has declared Greater Brisbane a hotspot and anyone going to NSW from the areas in lockdown will have to isolate for the three-day lockdown period. Anyone who has been in the “red zone” on or after January 2 cannot enter Victoria without a permit.
12 Will police pull me over if I am driving in Brisbane?
Yes, police will target vehicles and will ask people where they are going and for proof of being an essential worker.
13 Why is a single case causing the lockdown?
This is a case of the new variant that has been circulating in the UK which is 70 per cent more infectious. That means that once it has gotten out into the community it will be extraordinarily hard to rein in.
14 Is this isolation or quarantine?
This three-day period is not quarantine and it’s not isolation. We are being asked to restrict our movements so we minimise the risk of the virus transmitting. Authorities are asking us to stay at home, but you can leave for four reasons. If you are in quarantine or isolation, you cannot leave for those four reasons.
15Is it a concern the infected person has 79 close contacts?
No, they’re not the cases authorities are worried about because they are known and can be quarantined. It’s the other potential contacts authorities are most concerned about.
16 Why is the lockdown for three days?
This gives authorities the chance to find those contacts while they are at home and get them into quarantine.
17 Can I still catch my flight to Brisbane Airport and then transit on to another area?
Anyone can fly into Brisbane Airport, international or domestic terminal, and then go directly from the airport out of the Greater Brisbane region.
18 I have a flight scheduled to fly home from my holiday in Brisbane, can I still travel?
Yes but that is dependent on what restrictions other states have put in place. Check before you fly.
19 Can I hold a protest?
No. Gatherings are limited to no more than two people.
20Can I still donate blood?
Yes, you can donate normally. It is considered an essential service.
21 Who is considered an essential worker?
Anyone whose work needs to continue that cannot occur remotely. If you can work from home, now is the time to work from home.
22 If I came into brisbane for an essential purpose during the lockdown, can I travel outside the Greater Brisbane area?
Yes, people can come into Brisbane for essential work, to access healthcare, and to provide support to a vulnerable person they are responsible for. But when they leave they need to go into isolation in their home, except for those reasons (plus exercising in their local area) until 6pm on Monday.
23 When does the 50 per cent reduction in international passenger arrivals begin?
Straight away and will continue until at least February 15.
24 Why was the woman who tested positive allowed to leave hotel quarantine in Victoria and board a flight to Queensland?
She no longer had symptoms. Authorities say that this case is likely to be low risk of spreading the virus and that people can still excrete the virus for up to 120 days.
25 How does Queensland Health determine whether a positive case has the UK strain?
Genomic testing and sequencing.
26 Why aren’t quarantine hotel staff in a bubble?
There are strict rules around personal protection equipment, distancing and testing for those working in quarantine hotels.
27 Why are motorbike shops, Bunnings and other businesses allowed to open?
Individual shops have not been subject to orders to close, but people in locked down areas are only allowed to leave their homes for four essential reasons.
28 Are outdoor playgrounds closed?
In locked down local government areas, yes.
29 Am I allowed to exercise with a person from another household?
Yes – but only one other person from a different household.
30 Is the new strain of COVID-19 really more infectious? What’s changed?
Yes, it is 70 per cent more contagious.
It spreads faster from people to people and from surfaces.
31 If I live outside the lockdown areas, but live with someone who has been in Greater Brisbane. do I have to stay at home?
No, only people who have been in the areas impacted must stay at home.
32 Can I still go to a medical appointment?
Yes, for yourself or to help a vulnerable relative.
33Can I still move houses?
Yes, as long as all other restrictions are adhered to.
34 Can I travel outside of Greater Brisbane to attend a funeral?
No, if you have been in the Greater Brisbane area since January, 2, or you live in the area, you must remain at home until at least 6pm on Monday.
35 What has been done to stop people fleeing Greater Brisbane for the Gold and Sunshine coasts?
Police are patrolling motorways north and south and will be pulling people over to question their movements. Those without a valid reason for travelling risk large fines.
36 Why weren’t there blockades on the M1 to stop people leaving Brisbane?
People who are essential workers are still allowed to travel around the locked down areas.
37 Why can’t I go to the gym?
It is not considered an essential service.
38 Why are international flights still allowed?
International flights are still allowed, but the amount of people allowed into the state has been capped and anyone returning from overseas must hotel quarantine for 14 days at their cost.
39 In the last lockdown we had a 5km limit on travelling away from our homes – is this in force now?
No, but people are being urged to stay in their own communities.
40 Why aren’t the Gold and Sunshine coasts involved in the lockdown?
Contact tracing has not shown any close or casual contacts of the infected hotel cleaner to have travelled to these areas.
41 Did National Cabinet declare the entire state of Queensland a hotspot?
No, just five local government areas, which are locked down until 6pm on Monday.
42 How many people are allowed at weddings?
10 people.
43. How many are allowed at a funeral?
20 people.
44 I’m currently on the Sunshine Coast but live in Greater Brisbane – can I drive back to Brisbane today?
You can if you absolutely need to, but you will need to isolate at home once you arrive back in the Brisbane area.
45 Are childcare centres opening on Monday?
Yes. Childcare services are allowed to be open. You may leave your home to drop off and pick up your child from a kindergarten or daycare.
46 I caught a train to/from the Brisbane Airport on January 2. I am now interstate. Should I self-isolate?
Yes and get tested if you have any symptoms.
47 Do children count in the limits on number of visitors/people in gatherings?
Children and infants are included in the total numbers where limits are indicated.
48 Why can the Brisbane Heat play on Sunday when the A-League and NBL have been cancelled, and the Brisbane Broncos aren’t allowed to train?
Because the game is on the Gold Coast, which is not in lockdown.
49 Do we have to get tested if we have no symptoms but live in Greater Brisbane?
No, only get tested if you have symptoms or if you have been at locations that the infected hotel cleaner visited.
50 Why was a woman who travelled from Victoria to Maleny only in quarantine for 10 days in Victoria?
Prior to the new variants emerging states would routinely let people leave isolation if they were 10 days from onset of illness and had three days without symptoms. Exit testing was not required, in line with agreed national protocols at the time.
51 Can I travel from NSW back to Greater Brisbane?
Yes, but you will need to isolate for three days.
52 Will the lockdown affect flight schedules?
Some flights into Brisbane have been cancelled or postponed, you need to check with individual airlines for information.
53 Has this UK strain been found in any other Australian states?
No, not in the community.
54 Are amusement parks and arcades open?
Facilities outside the impacted areas can remain open. If within the impacted areas, these facilities will be closed.
55 Can essential workers turn away customers who refuse to wear a mask?
Yes.
56 Can I take my dog to the vet?
Yes, if it is an emergency, but social distancing will need to be observed and masks need to be worn.
57 Can truck drivers enter and leave Greater Brisbane and not have to isolate?
Anyone who drives through Brisbane and does not stop need not isolate.
58 Can you travel outside Greater Brisbane to shop?
No, you have to remain in your own communities for essential shopping or exercise.
59 Can I still drive to the train station, park my car and catch the train to work?
Yes, but masks must be worn.
60 Will exit quarantine testing be conducted in Queensland now?
Every positive case in Queensland will undergo genomic testing. Results will be known before someone is released from hotel quarantine. Exit testing will now be undertaken for anyone who tests positive for the new variant. That will help inform decisions about safe release from isolation.
61 Are Gold Coast residents allowed to travel along the Gateway Motorway to get to the Sunshine Coast without needing to isolate?
Yes. As long as a motorist does not stop in an impacted area there is no requirement to quarantine.
62 Is there a restriction on other events, such as birthday parties?
You are only allowed to leave your home for permitted purposes. You may visit another person’s home as one of two visitors or attend a wedding or funeral.
63 Can markets operate?
Only food and farmers markets may continue to operate during the lockdown. Artisan markets must shut during the lockdown.
64 Why isn’t the Sunshine Coast in lockdown if the Melbourne case went to Maleny?
Health authorities are investigating, but do not believe there is a high risk of infection from this case.
65 How did the cleaner get COVID-19?
This is under investigation by the Queensland government and police.
66 Are all sporting fixtures within the impacted areas cancelled? Will I get a refund?
Yes. Sporting events within the impacted areas have been cancelled. You should seek advice from the relevant ticket agency about refunds.
67 Are all community sports cancelled?
Yes. All community sports will be cancelled for the duration of the lockdown period.
68 Do people who cannot wear masks on medical grounds need to carry proof with them?
Yes, you need to prove why you cannot wear a mask, if you have a legitimate reason.
69 Are supermarkets going to run out of food?
No, city leaders and supermarkets have confirmed they will not run out.
70Is Bribie Island included in the lockdown?
Yes, besides the very northern end.
71 Is Redcliffe in the lockdown?
Yes.
72 What if you can’t afford to buy a mask?
Police or public health facilities can provide them.
73 Can I go to a church or place or worship this weekend?
No. Places of worship are required to close during the lockdown except for weddings and funerals (with the number of attendees restricted).
74 I am meant have custody of my child this weekend, is this still allowed?
For children under 18 who do not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents, leaving the place of residence is allowed to continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children. As long as this does not include contact with people who are vulnerable to COVID-19, for example someone aged over 70.
75 Can I go fishing for food in an impacted area?
You can fish for food and essential reasons locally. You must be COVID-safe at all times.You cannot go fishing for fun. You are not permitted to leave an impacted area to fish.
76 If you’re on the islands in restricted areas, can you come to the mainland?
Yes, but only for essential purposes.
77 If I have tested negative for COVID-19 am I excluded from the lockdown?
No. All persons in the Greater Brisbane region must comply with lockdown restrictions.
78 Which businesses can stay open?
Only businesses or activities that are identified as non-essential need to close. Masks must be worn and staff and customers need to observe physical distancing as practicable.
79Is it safe to use public transport?
Public transport will continue as normal and physical distancing is still in effect. However, you must wear a mask and follow the other advice from TransLink.
80 How many people can gather in outdoor areas, such as a park?
You can meet with members of your household or one other person who is not a member of your household.
81 I have an appointment in or outside of the lockdown area, can I attend?
If you live in an impacted area you are only allowed to leave your home to attend an appointment which would be considered essential or permitted, such as attending a medical appointment. If you live outside of an impacted area you can attend an essential appointment in an impacted area. However, you must abide by the lockdown restrictions upon your return, including only leaving your residence for a permitted purpose and wearing a mask when doing so.
82 Can I play golf/tennis?
Yes, they are forms of exercise. However, you must wear a mask, play with no more than one other person who does not live with you, and stay within your local area.
83 What about businesses and activities that are not required to close but are restricted under another direction?
Some businesses such as universities and accommodation facilities are not required to close during the lockdown.
84 Can I get an exemption from a requirement under the lockdown direction?
The Chief Health Officer may give a person or a group of people an exemption if extreme exceptional circumstances exist.
85 What are the fines for not wearing a mask or being out without reason?
You will be fined $200 for not wearing a mask in public and $1300 for being out for a non-essential reason.
86Do I have to wear a mask in my yard?
No you do not need to wear a mask in your own yard.
87 Do children have to wear a mask?
No, children under 12 are not required to wear a mask.
88 Do I have to wear a mask in the car?
Yes, even if you are alone.
89 Do I have to wear a mask while exercising?
Yes, if you are exercising outside your home.
90 Do I need to wear a mask to check the letterbox?
Yes.
91 What if I don’t own a mask and I need to leave home for an essential reason?
If there is an emergency, you leave, no matter whether you have a mask.
92 Do domestic tradies have to wear a mask on the job site?
Yes, if they are working with other people on job sites.
93 What types of masks are okay?
Flat surgical masks and reusable washable sewn masks can be used.
94 How do I wear my mask properly?
A face mask must cover your mouth and nose.
95 My glasses fog up when wearing a mask. Should I wear a mask when driving?
Yes, people in locked down areas are required to wear a mask while in the car, unless it is dangerous to do so.
96 Do I need to wear a mask to walk my dog and mow my lawn?
Yes.
97 Can we not wear a mask in the car if we keep the windows up?
No, you must wear a mask at all times outside your home.
98 Do I need to wear a mask while riding a motorcycle?
Yes.
99 I have asthma. Am I exempted?
Yes. If you have a health reason for not wearing a mask, you do not need to.
100 Are masks now mandatory across all of Queensland?
No, just in the five local government areas under a lockdown order.
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