Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk provides update on coronavirus

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus in Queensland in the past 24 hours and announced a crackdown on people targeting frontline workers – including retail staff – by coughing, spitting or sneezing on them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced there have been three new coronavirus cases in Queensland in the past 24 hours.

The Premier said there had been 99,527 tests undertaken in Queensland, for a total of 1033 positive cases. A total of 926 Queenslanders have recovered.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with the latest coronavirus update. For rolling coverage watch Sky News Australia on Foxtel or visit www.skynews.com.au.

Posted by Courier Mail on Sunday, 26 April 2020

Ms Palaszczuk used a press conference this morning to announce a crackdown on people who target frontline workers – including retail staff – by coughing, sneezing or spitting on them.

Such an action could attract a $1300 on the spot fine, or a penalty of $13,000 if it goes to court under the New Public Health Emergency Order.

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Health Minister Steven Miles said during the coronavirus pandemic a sneeze could be as dangerous as a knife, and a “cough used as a weapon”.

“Spitting is of course always disgusting, and this new order will allow us to protect all of our essential workers from deliberate coughing, sneezing and spitting.”

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski warned police would take the fines very seriously and investigate matters thoroughly.

“This is not an acceptable behaviour,” he said.

Queensland secretary of the SDA, the union for retail and fast food workers, Chris Gazenbeek said retail, fast food and pharmacy workers had been “copping the brunt”.

“There’s been an increase ... in customer abuse and violence during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“In one sense it’s disturbing that these laws need to be implemented but unfortunately they are necessary.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Steven Miles at the Monday morning press conference. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said one person had tested positive for COVID-19 via the new serology testing, including one case in Cairns.

But she said authorities did not believe the Cairns case was related to the laboratory cluster.

She also said there had not been an increase in testing since the criteria was expanded on Friday.

Ms Palaszczuk urged Queenslanders to take advantage of the COVIDSafe app launched yesterday.

“I have signed up this morning. It takes about two minutes but it’s really important if we want our life to return to some normality. I think it’s really important not just for your safety, but for your friends’ and family’s safety,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

It comes after Ms Palaszczuk yesterday flagged the easing of some restrictions in Queensland from next weekend.

It means Queenslanders will be able to go shopping for non-essential items, take a picnic and sunbake at the beach.

In relation to retail activities, Ms Palaszczuk said she and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young would be writing to retailers to make sure stores are COVID safe.

People have also been told they can go for a drive, but only within 50km of their home.

The measures will be reviewed in two weeks, with more relaxations possible if cases remain low.

It comes after just three new cases were announced on Sunday morning, with the state’s total now at 1033. There are 101 active cases.

Two new cases were announced on Saturday, making it 11 straight days when new cases were restricted to fewer than 10.

Ms Palaszczuk this morning said the state had been approached by “another sporting code” has made submissions about restarting the game in Queensland, but she was coy about whether it was the AFL.

On the NRL, Ms Palaszczuk said she had forwarded a submission to the Chief Health Officer and was waiting on advice.

“We’ve also had another submission from another sporting code and we’re assessing that as well. The other sporting code got in before the NRL but we’ll assess both of them at the same time and hopefully get a response to people soon.”