Cities of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redland and Toowoomba, Moreton Bay regions declared COVID-19 hot spots

SEVERAL areas in Queensland, including Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and the Moreton Bay and Toowoomba regions, have been declared COVID-19 hot spots by the Territory

THE cities of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay region, Redland City and the Toowoomba region have been declared COVID-19 hot spots by the Territory effective from 4.30pm after a spike in coronavirus cases.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison and Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie said anyone from these regions who entered the NT by air or road before 4.30pm must self-isolate and get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours, and remain in self-quarantine until a negative test result is returned.

This does not include those who have just transited through Brisbane Airport.

All arrivals after 4.30pm will be forced into mandatory 14-day isolation at Howard Springs.

Anyone who travels into the NT by road before 11.59pm tonight will not have to pay for quarantine but will still be required to undertake it.

“We’ve seen the situation, rapidly change in Queensland, over the last few days,” Ms Manison said.

“We are nowhere near through it.

“We are going to be monitoring the situation very closely so we will meet again on Thursday, and we will update Territorians then. But if we need to change again, because the situation rapidly changes we will meet, and we will make decisions quickly and act fast to keep people safe.”

Dr Heggie said the hot spot declarations were in the best interests of Territorians.

“Authorities in Brisbane have been working around the clock to trace these cases and their close contacts,” he said.

“This latest outbreak involves the highly infectious UK variant of COVID-19 so it is important we take a cautious approach and remain vigilant.

“Declaring hot spots is never easy. We know they cause disruption but they are necessary. I would like to thank everyone who has followed my health direction to get a test. Please be patient when you call the COVID-19 hotline.

“We responded to 2600 calls yesterday and we have extended our hours of operation and increased our staffing to meet the expected demand for testing services.”

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NT Police Ag/Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said those in self-isolation will be monitored by compliance teams.

“Our compliance teams will activate and increase their activity to make sure those that have travelled and asked to self isolate and get tested are doing so,” he said.

“We will be randomly spot checking speaking to, and making sure people are adhering to those guidelines.”

Mr Wurst said police presence would be increased at Northern Territory airports and along the NT/QLD border, particularly the Barkly Highway.

Those people required to get tested under Chief Health Officer’s directions include:

NEW: Those who have arrived in the Northern Territory from the Toowoomba Region between 26 March and 4.29pm today, 29 March 2021.

Those who have arrived in the Northern Territory from Byron Shire Council LGA in New South Wales since 27 March 2021;

Those who have arrived in the Northern Territory from the City of Ipswich, Logan City, Redland City, and Gladstone Region LGA’s since 25 March 2021;

Those who have arrived in the Northern Territory from City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay region LGA’s since 20 March 2021;

Those who have arrived in the Northern Territory from the City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region Local Government Areas between 12 March and 11.59pm on 19 March who are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

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Originally published as Cities of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redland and Toowoomba, Moreton Bay regions declared COVID-19 hot spots