Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (Photo: Twitter)

March 23, 2020

Queensland will be moving to restrict access to the State, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Monday afternoon.

The finer details of the border controls have not been announced but may be similar to other States, which have put a 14-day quarantine period in place for incoming travellers.

The move follows the announcement that another 60 new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Queensland.

This takes the State’s tally to 319, the largest one day increase so far.

The Premier also said schools would remain open but parents had a choice.

“If they choose not to send their child to school, they can make that choice,” Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.

Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates called on the State Government to close schools by mid-week, saying he could not rule out strikes if negotiations failed.

UPDATE: The Queensland border will be closing from midday on Wednesday. Incoming travellers must quarantine themselves for two weeks upon arrival.

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The 60 new cases announced on Monday consist of 33 men and 27 women between the ages of 21 and 81.

Six of the cases are in the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service region: five returned overseas travellers in Toowoomba, and one case in Warwick who had contact with a confirmed case.

There are 14 cases each in the Metro North and Metro South health districts.

Other cases are in the Gold Coast (8), Sunshine Coast (7), Townsville (1), Cairns and Hinterland (1), Central Qld (3), West Moreton (2) and Interstate and overseas (4).

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Queensland Health has issued this public health alert:

A 39-year-old male who was at Rick Shores restaurant in Burleigh Heads on Friday, March 13, between midday and 1:30pm, has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Queensland Health is calling for people who attended the restaurant during that 90 minute period to monitor their health and see a doctor immediately if they develop any symptoms.

While the risk is very low, a small number of people who sat near this case could potentially have been exposed.

The man was asymptomatic when he attended the restaurant but developed symptoms 24 hours later.

There is no risk to anyone who has been to this restaurant before or after this period.

Anyone with questions or concerns should contact 13-HEALTH.

[UPDATED]


 

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