By Juliano Oliveira
After three days and no more cases, Brisbane’s lockdown will end at 6pm tonight.
Queensland Government decided for the lockdown in a bid to prevent more cases after a cleaner in Brisbane tested positive to the UK variant, a highly infectious strain.
The use of masks in indoor places including shopping centres and supermarkets, gyms, workplaces where people cannot socially distance still mandatory until 1am, Friday January 22.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the gradual easing of restrictions follows the best health advice.
“The evidence tells us the lockdown has done its job,” the Premier said.
“Dr Young has asked for these further 10 days of measures in the Greater Brisbane area.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry and it’s better to be sure.”
Restrictions on visits to hospitals, aged care, disability accommodation and prisons remain.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said this was the first step in easing out of the lockdown restrictions.
“We must not get complacent,” Minister D’Ath said.
“This decision was not made lightly. We know this new variant is much more contagious, which is why it is so important we continue to have some restrictions in place for a short period of time.
“We must remember why we are doing this – to protect ourselves, and the people around us, especially those most vulnerable.”