Traffic chaos as Greater Brisbane residents try to get home before lockdown

It’s ugly on Brisbane’s roads as the countdown to lockdown is on and people scramble to get home before the 5pm deadline.

Traffic has come to a standstill across Brisbane as residents try to get home before the 5pm lockdown.

Despite pleas for people not to panic buy, some grocery stores turned into a “bloody madhouse” as news of Monday’s announcement spread.

Congestion has started to build across the city, particularly near COVID-19 testing sites and shopping centres.

Motorists have stopped into drive-through testing sites on their way home. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

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Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young urged people not to leave Brisbane and start their holidays early.

Despite many commuting from both the sunshine and gold coasts each day, it appears that message may not have been heard.

Heavy traffic on the M1 and Bruce Highway has slowed down the commute to both beachside locations.

Would you look at that? Congestion getting very heavy on the Pacific Motorway at the Gateway Merge as people head south ahead of the Greater Brisbane lockdown. Expect delays and remain courteous behind the wheel! Check https://t.co/S318yendfb for the latest. #RACQTrafficAdvicepic.twitter.com/kiq1QhGB6Z

— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) March 29, 2021

A multi-vehicle crash on the M1 at Slacks Creek has compounded the already heavy road conditions.

Meanwhile, heading north, things are at a crawl from the Bruce Highway at Deagon all the way through to Caboolture.

Care for side of bumper-to-bumper traffic served with your lockdown?

There's heavy congestion and delays along the Gateway Motorway north bound from Deagon through to the Bruce Highway merge. Be courteous and patient behind the wheel! pic.twitter.com/XNFeGplNYc

— RACQ (@RACQOfficial) March 29, 2021

Anyone who has been in the Greater Brisbane region from Saturday, March 20 is required to go into lockdown at their place of origin.

The snap three-day lockdown has thrown Easter plans for millions into chaos as states slam shut the borders to the Queensland capital.

It comes as a slew of new rules were introduced as a result of the three-day lockdown, which will see residents of Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redlands only able to go out for four essential reasons — for food, exercise, essential work and medical reasons.

Residents can have up to two visitors to their home and can go out and exercise in a family group or if they’re solo, with one other person from a different family group.

Schools will also close from Tuesday to enable health authorities to get on top of contact tracing efforts, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Masks are also mandatory for Greater Brisbane and the rest of Queensland.

This means that in Greater Brisbane, masks must be worn everywhere indoors (except at home and in a single room by yourself), including when shopping, on public transport and in ride sharing vehicles.

For the rest of Queensland, the same applies. Masks must be worn indoors, on public transport and when physical distancing is not possible.

However, the mask rule does not apply if you have a medical exemption.

Home gatherings outside of Brisbane will also be limited to 30 people, while those in Greater Brisbane are allowed two visitors at their residence per day.

They can go out and exercise in a family group or if they’re solo, with one other person from a different family group.

The restrictions will be reviewed on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the snap lockdown has also sparked panic buying, with supplies such as toilet paper stripped from supermarket shelves around Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today urged the 2.5 million Queenslanders affected by the lockdown to remain calm.

“The supermarkets are full of supplies and you will still be able to go out and get food as part of this lockdown,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“So please, don’t go out and panic buy today. The food shops will operate as per usual.”

Despite her pleas, supermarkets around the city went from calm to chaos in a matter of moments, with long queues forming outside shops and shelves stripped bare.

At Coles Newmarket, toilet paper was one of the first items to be completely wiped from the store.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath also took to social media urging Queenslanders not to panic buy.

“This is not required. Please stop!” she wrote.

Originally published as Traffic chaos as Greater Brisbane residents try to get home before lockdown