Mayor reveals what Mackay residents need to know about Queensland’s Covid-19 lockdowns

The mayor has warned many people in the Mackay community have had ‘probable exposure’ to the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.

Many people in the Mackay community have had “probable exposure” to the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 during recent travel to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Mayor Greg Williamson has warned.

He has now urged residents to be “extra vigilant” in the wake of a snap three-day lockdown in Townsville and southeast Queensland.

“(The Delta variant) has a rapid transfer rate – five-second exposure,” Cr Williamson said.

“That’s why we’ve been saying all along don’t be too complacent. That could happen in our community.

“At the moment, it hasn’t happened in our community so we have to be extra vigilant.”

From 6pm tonight until 6pm Friday night, southeast Queensland, Townsville, Palm Island and Magnetic Island will go into a three-day lockdown.

Mayor Greg Williamson speaking to Mackay media in the wake of the announcement of a snap three-day lockdown for southeast Queensland and Townsville. Picture: Melanie Whiting

The 11 southeast Queensland council areas to be locked down are Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley.

Queensland now has 41 active cases of the virus, mostly the Delta variant, and health authorities are concerned there may be undetected cases in the community.

Following his phone meeting with Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young on Tuesday, Cr Williamson said the main message for the community was to get tested if you were feeling unwell and get vaccinated.

He said about 21,500 people had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Mackay region as of Monday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gives the media a COVID-19 update in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

But just 2800 people in Mackay have received two doses.

“Those are small numbers out of a potential population of 130,000 people,” Cr Williamson said.

“There are 300 vaccinations a day in Mackay at the moment.

“We need to see those numbers continue every day and rise.”

Those arriving from Townsville or southeast Queensland after 6pm tonight will need to follow lockdown guidelines and wear masks when out in public.

For more information about the Covid-19 vaccine, visit here.

To find a vaccination provider in your area you can search the National Health Services Directory.

Residents can also use the Covid-19 Eligibility Checker to find out if they are eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine.