Queensland lockdown extended, Ekka Show cancelled

Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles has announced the extension of South East Queensland’s three-day lockdown, following 13 new locally acquired cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The lockdown, which was due to finish at 4pm on Tuesday, will now be extended in the southeast corner of the state until 4pm Sunday, August 8.

On Monday morning, Deputy Premier Stephen Miles said there had been a total of 15 new cases recorded overnight, with 13 locally acquired and two overseas.

“They were the last two crew members of the MVSanja that were not infected so all of the crew have now been confirmed as positive,” he said.

“That means there’s 13 new cases all linked to the outbreak in the last few days bringing the total to 31.

“It’s starting to become clear that the initial lockdown will be insufficient for the outbreak.

“So we’re advising south-east Queenslanders in the 11 LGAs that the lockdown will be extended until 4pm on Sunday. That will make it an 8-day lockdown.”

BREAKING: Lockdown will be extended in SEQ until 4pm Sunday 8 August.

If you are in the LGAs of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim, you can only leave home for the 4 permitted reasons. pic.twitter.com/Tlauh3YKEu

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 2, 2021

Miles said the news meant the regions would be in lockdown for the annual Ekka Show, which “regrettably” would now be cancelled.

“The lockdown extends beyond the intended start day of the Ekka so that means we’ve had to make the very regrettable decision to advise the Ekka to cancel their event for this year,” he said.

“It will not be able to go ahead. I know that’s sad and disappointing for many, many Queenslanders who love their annual ritual, their annual trip to the Ekka.

“We just can’t afford to have an event like that where people travel into town, circulate in large numbers. The risk is just too great.”

If you are in the LGAs of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim, you can only leave home for the 4 permitted reasons including essential shopping, exercise, health care and providing care.