Queensland has recorded two new Covid-19 cases with the NRL Grand Final to go ahead after fears were raised the sporting event could be cancelled.
Health officials intend to use the sporting event – which is expected to attract thousands of spectators – to boost vaccination rates and will set up clinics around Brisbane’s Lang Park on Sunday.
‘There will be two locations, one at the north and one at the south entry,’ health minister Yvette D’Ath said during a press conference on Saturday.
‘If you get a chance, pop along and get vaccinated before the game or you can come along and make a booking to come and get vaccinated.’
Of the new cases, both were children linked to a previous positive case.
It comes after premier Annastacia Palaszczuk avoided on Friday tightening stage-two restrictions in six local government areas in Townsville and south-east Queensland.
‘If we do see any unlinked community transmission, I’m quite sure that Dr Young will not hesitate to recommend a lockdown,’ Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.
‘That’s good news for the moment, Queensland. So keep up that great work.’
It comes after premier Annastacia Palaszczuk avoided tightening stage-two restrictions in six local government areas in Townsville and south-east Queensland
The premier again denied she was resisting ordering a lockdown because of the NRL grand final in Brisbane on Sunday and the Rugby Championship double header on the Gold Coast on Saturday night
The premier again denied she was resisting ordering a lockdown because of the NRL grand final in Brisbane on Sunday and the Rugby Championship double header on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
She said if there is evidence of seeding or community spread before either of those events she will tighten restrictions.
‘Can I just make it very clear: if the advice is to go into lockdown, we will go into lockdown. OK,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.
‘So there’s no ifs and buts here, people. This is serious.
‘It’s going to depend whether we see any unlinked community transmission over the next 24 to 48 hours.’
There are now eight cases connected to the aviation cluster, with another four separate single-person clusters across the southeast and Townsville.
Dr Young said her main concern was the man who was infectious in the community at Kirra and Coolangatta between Saturday and Wednesday.
‘Anyone who has been to any of the venues or anywhere in that part of the Gold Coast over the last week, if you’ve got any symptoms at all now is the time to really please come forward and get tested,’ she said.
Stage-two restrictions are now in place in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Townsville and Palm Island regions.
Ms Palaszczuk said if there is evidence of seeding or community spread before either of those events she will tighten restrictions
Face masks must be worn indoors unless people are eating or drinking, and outdoors where people cannot socially distance
Visitors to private homes are capped at 30 people and capacity limits of one person per four square metres have been imposed in indoor venues such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas and theatres.
Weddings and funerals are capped at 100 people, and crowds at large venues such as the NRL grand final will be restricted to 75 per cent capacity.
There are more than 160 exposure sites listed across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Townsville, including 38 close-contact venues.
Face masks must be worn indoors unless people are eating or drinking, and outdoors where people cannot socially distance.
Dr Young said anyone living in the six restricted regions must abide by the same rules, such as face-mask wearing, no matter where they travel in the state.
‘You’ve got to follow exactly the same restrictions as if you’re at home,’ she said.
‘And those people who are coming from areas that don’t have those restrictions, (must follow the rules) when they come into an area that does have the restrictions.’
Queensland also recorded one new virus case in hotel quarantine, which was overseas acquired, on Friday.