Brisbane lockdown lifts after no new local COVID-19 cases detected

• Brisbane will come out of lockdown after no new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the last three days
• The capital city was placed in a strict three-day lockdown after the U.K. strain of the virus was detected locally
• Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk enacted the lockdown on Friday in a bid to stop the incredibly contagious strain from spreading
• It will be lifted at 6:00 pm on Monday, however, masks will still be required to be worn outside for another two weeks
• Several territories have reversed border restriction placed upon Queensland residents, following the lockdown’s end

All of the Greater Brisbane Region will come out of lockdown after no new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the last few days.

Queensland authorities placed the capital city in a strict three-day lockdown after the U.K. strain of the virus was detected locally in a quarantine hotel worker.

Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk enacted the lockdown on Friday evening in a bid to stop the incredibly contagious strain from spreading.

It appears the measure was effective, as no new cases of COVID-19 have been locally acquired in the last three days.

The lockdown will end at 6:00 pm on Monday, however, the premier is asking residents to continue wearing masks while in public.

Queenslanders always step up in times of need.

Wearing masks has been no different and it’s a crucial step to stay safe as we come out of lockdown.

Please keep one with you at all times.#MaskUp pic.twitter.com/t8L2rlqT9Z

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 11, 2021

“We want to make sure that the incubation period, that 14 days, has totally lapsed before we return to normal,” Annastasia Palaszczuk explained.

“You will need to wear your mask in shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and indoor markets … in hospitals and aged care facilities, in churches and places of worship, libraries and at indoor recreational facilities such as cinemas, art galleries and gyms,” she added.

The mask rule will remain in place until January 22 before Queensland authorities will review the need for continued enforcement.

In the meantime, several states and territories have announced they will lift border restrictions with Queensland following the planned lockdown end.

The Northern Territory and ACT led the charge — announcing the Greater Brisbane Region was no longer considered a hotspot for COVID-19.

Leaders from Victoria and WA will hold off on lifting their restrictions for Brisbane for another few days to see if any new cases emerge.