Covid-19 News Updates

With Bluesfest down and out, calls get louder for business interruption fund

Arts and industry peak body Live Performance Australia (LPA) has ramped up longstanding calls for a business interruption fund for the sector after yesterday's shock cancellation of the Byron Bay Bluesfest.

LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson says the live entertainment industry cannot sustain continued "hit and runs" as the industry reels from the music festival's cancellation and Brisbane's sudden lock-down.

"One case of community transmission has shut down a major regional event with a $10 million plus loss that will destroy a business with a thirty-year trading history owned by someone who is risking everything to run his event in a COVID safe manner," Richardson says.

"LPA has been calling for a Business Interruption Fund since last year. This is now a matter of urgency. It should be top of the agenda at the next National Cabinet meeting on 9 April.

"This has cost hundreds of jobs, musicians who were about to perform their first gig in a year have been shut down, thousands of people who were attending the seated, COVIDSafe approved event have been turned away, and the local regional economy has been severely impacted."

This is the second consecutive year that Bluesfest has been cancelled. In response to last year's interruption, the Bluesfest Group commissioned a report by Lawrence Consulting which found the cancellation led to $203.6 million in lost tourism spending for NSW.

Now Richardson and the LPA are calling on the NSW Government to step up and provide support to Bluesfest to ensure it survives a second shut down due to public health directives.

"This is irrefutable proof that a business interruption fund is critical to the survival of live entertainment events in an environment where no promoter or producer can get insurance," she says.

"This is a watershed moment. Our industry has worked with all governments to get our people back to work, our shows back on stage and touring.

"However, continued snap lockdowns and border restrictions are killing consumer and industry confidence. We have been shut down for a year. We can't survive the next six to 12 months without some form of insurance."

She says the industry is trying to get back on its feet and get people back into work.

"At which point do we move to living with COVID? Our industry is getting theatre shows back on stage while we look to October to kick start our live music sector. We need certainty that we're not going to be shut down and that our governments can respond and manage community transmission," the LPA chief says.

"We all know that COVID is with us for a long time so we need to reframe the national narrative around this.

"We are also very concerned about the vaccine rollout which appears to have stalled. Urgent attention needs to be given to ramping up the rollout nationally. It's time for a military style operation so we can avoid closures like this in the future."

Updated at 13:34pm AEDT on 1 April 2021.

Brisbane lockdown to be lifted at noon: "Easter is good to go"

The three-day lockdown in Greater Brisbane will be cut short by five hours at noon today after the state reported just one new community case of COVID-19 overnight.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government had two preconditions for lifting the lockdown which have both been met - no cases of unlinked community transmission and high testing rates.

After 34,711 tests in 24 hours and all known positive cases accounted for, Premier Palaszczuk said "Easter is good to go" and has called on other states and territories to lift Greater Brisbane's hotspot status.

"I understand a lot of families in the greater Brisbane have made plans, and the last thing we want to see are accidents on our roads at 5pm this afternoon into the evening," the Premier said.

"So if you have plans the lockdown is lifted from 12 noon today, and I encourage people to take care on the roads. Please be safe and enjoy your time away with family and friends."

She added there had been high arrival numbers at the Gold Coast and Cairns airports, boding well for the holiday season at two of Queensland's main tourism destinations.

As a precaution, restrictions previously applied to the rest of Queensland will be applied state-wide for 14 days, including mandatory mask wearing while inside, at hospitality venues, in public transport or where social distancing is not possible. Visitor numbers to private residences will be capped at 30.

People will need to carry masks at all times when outside the home, and patrons at restaurants, bars or cafés will need to be seated.

"We have to unfortunately keep those restrictions that have been in place for the rest of Queensland for the next 14 days because we're not completely clear," QLD Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.

"We think we can manage it with those restrictions, and with the response that we've seen from Queenslanders.

"But it doesn't mean the outbreak is over. It just means that I don't believe we need a lockdown to manage this outbreak going forward - we can use those other restrictions."

Premier Palaszczuk also brought good news to churchgoers as Easter Mass will be able to go ahead across the state with a one per two square metre rule in place for congregations.

There were also nine overseas-acquired cases reported overnight who are all in hotel quarantine. This takes the state's total number of active cases in hospitals to 82, of which 68 were locally acquired.

The latest case attended the Byron Bay party where cross-infection into NSW residents has prompted heightened restrictions for four local government areas and a devastating blow for the Bluesfest, which was due to start today but instead was cancelled for the second year in a row.

NSW reported zero new cases of community transmission today, but restrictions and recommendations announced yesterday for the state's north remain in place.

NSW Health released an update for several locations of concern yesterday evening, while numerous contact tracing alerts have been issued in Queensland, particularly in the Brisbane suburbs of Hamilton, Everton Park, Newstead and North Lakes, as well as several bars across Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley.

Check in QLD mandatory from 1 May

Following in the footsteps of other states like NSW and SA, Queensland will soon make its new COVID-Safe check-in app mandatory for most hospitality businesses across the state.

Premier Palaszcuk said new requirement would come into force from 1 May, allowing contact tracers to more readily access information at a critical time for Queensland's public health response.

"Alongside testing, contact tracing is our most valuable tool to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community," the Premier said.

"Over the past 12 months, we have relied on our team of contact tracers to quickly identify and assist anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

"So it is absolutely essential that our contact tracers have access to relevant, legible and timely information, to do the important work to keep all Queenslanders safe."

The 'Check in Qld' app can be downloaded on Google Play or Apple App Stores.

"When we work together and do our part to comply with Public Health Directions, we can look forward to better days ahead, with eased restrictions and greater confidence while visiting venues," the Premier said.

Dr Young said the mandate was necessary, with a number of recent COVID-19 cases linked to popular hospitality venues.

"Since 27 March, we've seen dozens of restaurants and cafes added to our list of COVID-19 contact tracing locations, including as locations for close contacts," Dr Young said.

"We all understand the threat the virus poses in confined, enclosed spaces even when people are practicing social distancing and hand hygiene and as we work to contain the highly-contagious UK variant, we must do everything possible to assist our health authorities.

"I thank hospitality businesses for their understanding and their cooperation as we streamline and accelerate contact tracing in Queensland."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said more than 13,500 businesses had registered with the app so far with 3.8 million check-ins since its launch a month ago.

"The new mandate will ensure that wherever Queenslanders drink or dine, their records will be kept securely," he said.

"I hope this move will bring customers greater peace of mind when choosing to dine-in at Queensland's great pubs, restaurants and cafes."

Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said there had been strong support for the app so far.

"The app has been downloaded more than 1.2 million times," Minister Enoch said.

"From restaurants, pubs and cafes to hairdressers, libraries and gyms, the Check In Qld app has been helping Queenslanders stay COVID safe.

"One of the best features of the app is that you only need to enter your details once and the app remembers them for future check ins."

Originally published at 9:14am AEST on 1 April 2020, updated at 11:20am AEST.

Bluesfest cancelled over community transmission fears

Popular music festival Bluesfest will not go ahead over this Easter long weekend as planned after New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed an order cancelling the event.

According to NSW Health, the cancellation was made to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the local Byron Bay area after the region reported one locally acquired case today.

"NSW Health acknowledges that the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for ticket holders and event organisers, however while urgent investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, NSW Health is adopting a cautious approach to keep everyone safe," NSW Health said.

Minister Hazzard says the festival's organisers are working on rescheduling the blues and roots festival for another date.

"While the cancellation of Bluesfest is disappointing for music lovers and the local community, I hope that ticket holders would support Bluesfest and hold on to their tickets as I understand Bluesfest will be working on a new date as soon as possible," says Hazzard.

The Bluesfest group issued a statement this afternoon lamenting the cancellation of what was to be the first major festival to occur in Australia since the summer of 2019-20, which would have had a capacity of 16,500 people over the five days that were planned.

Organisers noted the team had worked day and night for a year to achieve the approved COVID-19 Safety Plan - the first of its kind in the music industry.

"This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to make. We really wanted to be at the forefront of the return of live music at Pre-COVID-19 level," Bluesfest director Peter Noble said.

Organisers said they felt deeply for everybody affected, the fans, the artists and Bluesfest staff.

"But in the end, the health of our community must come first," they said in the statement.

"We will be having discussions regarding Bluesfest postponement and will update everybody soon. However, this weekend we will be packing down the event that was cancelled within 24 hours of gates due to open.

"All patrons will be contacted by Moshtix directly once we have an update on how to proceed."

The disappointing news for ticketholders comes after one new case of COVID-19 was reported in Byron Bay, leading to new restrictions for the Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore shires.

The individual in his 20s visited the Byron Beach Hotel with three friends who have since tested negative to the virus, but they were all seated in close proximity to the Queensland group that was celebrating a hen's night in Byron Bay last Friday.

While unknowingly infectious, the man visited two Ballina venues on Sunday, 28 March - the Henry Rous Tavern between 1:20-2:20pm and the Ballina Golf & Sport Club between 2:25-2:35pm.

Full details of the latest NSW health alerts for venues can be found here.

??? https://t.co/wXJ72BvdF8

— Ocean Alley (@oceanalleyau) March 31, 2021

We are gutted that you have been stopped at the final hurdle, and we stand behind you in the hope there can be another Bluesfest to work toward and look forward to in the future. Absolute heartbreak today in The Cat Empire camp.

— The Cat Empire (@thecatempire) March 31, 2021

Blues Fest friends, we were so looking forward to seeing you this weekend but will have to be another time. We're sending our love to the @BluesfestByron team! Darwin mates, we'll still see you this Friday for SummerSalt.
Pic by KS Digital Media pic.twitter.com/gDf6vCCfXo

— theteskeybrothers (@teskeybrothers) March 31, 2021

It's just been announced that @BluesfestByron has been cancelled. While this is such huge blow for Aussie music, the health and well-being of this country has to come first. Thanks to the team at Bluesfest for doing the best they could in preparation. pic.twitter.com/4fpJBzqXAh

— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) March 31, 2021

A report prepared for the Bluesfest Group by Lawrence Consulting last year estimated the 2020 cancellation led to $203.6 million in lost tourism spending for NSW, implying foregone employment for approximately 1,158 people with the worst effects in accommodation and food services, retail and the arts.

Festival patron surveys conducted in 2019 indicated daily expenditure of $304 per person at the Bluesfest, representing a foregone annual stimulus of $30.8 million to Byron Shire and $51.3 million to the Northern Rivers region.

New restrictions for Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Lismore shires

NSW authorities have today identified one new COVID-19 case linked to an infected group from Queensland that visited the Byron Beach Hotel last Friday, leading to health alerts for four local government areas (LGAs) in the state's north.

The individual in his 20s visited the venue with three friends who have since tested negative to the virus, but they were all seated in close proximity to the QLD group that was celebrating a hen's night in Byron Bay.

While unknowingly infectious, the man visited two Ballina venues on Sunday, 28 March - the Henry Rous Tavern between 1:20-2:20pm and the Ballina Golf & Sport Club between 2:25-2:35pm.

Full details of the latest NSW health alerts for venues can be found here. 

"What we're asking people to do if you attended those venues, please immediately self-isolate and get a test, and we will be advising you after we've done that formal risk assessment," NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

"This gentleman, promptly on hearing about this issue presented for testing, immediately did the right thing in terms of self-isolation."

In response, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced tightened restrictions for the LGAs of Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and Tweed.

Under the new settings, from 5pm today masks will be mandatory while shopping, on public transport and for hospitality workers, the 4 square metre rule will be applied to hospitality venues where patrons must be seated, and only up to 30 people will be allowed to visit private residences.

"It is a very strong preference that if you live in any of those four local government areas that you don't travel outside those local government areas - we won't be policing that, but it's very strong advice," Premier Berejiklian said.

"If there is community transmission we don't want it seeded to other parts of New South Wales.

"We're not going to tell people to stop going to those four regions over Easter," she said, although she has asked people who are planning to visit those areas to reconsider their plans.

The Premier said the people of NSW needed to be on high alert, and called on those in the relevant LGAs to come forward for COVID-19 testing.

"The reason why we're not going as far as the other states is because the systems we have in place, we feel we can get on top of things as they are, but it is an evolving situation and if the health advice changes of course we will reconsider that," she said.

"But at this stage there is absolutely no cause for us to close borders, there is no cause for us to go beyond what we're advocating."

Dr Chant also noted authorities could not be absolutely sure which shops infected cases visited in Byron Bay, so anyone who was walking around the town's main retail area from 26-28 March should get tested for the virus.

She also urged people in the Byron vicinity to make the most of the "quite delightful" weather and spend more time in outdoor environments that are much lower risk.

The unfolding situation in northern NSW has also raised concerns over the Byron Bay Bluesfest, with discussions ongoing between event organisers and the government to determine whether it can go ahead in a COVID-safe way.

"For those who might be intending to come [to Bluefest] just be very alert to the messages that will come from the New South Wales Government in the next 12 to 24 hours," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

"It is important but and complex - so complex - that we weigh up the competing interests and trying to let people do what we've always done in New South Wales, and have as much freedom as possible.

"It's difficult. It would have been better if the Bluesfest had been perhaps in another few months instead of right now, or it would have been better if we hadn't had a hen's party in Byron Bay that appears to have now brought down our more secure North Coast area into now a highly suspect area."

In a Facebook post yesterday, the Byron Beach Hotel thanked the community for their support and highlighted work with NSW Health was ongoing.

"Our affected Beach Hotel staff are following NSW Health directives to be tested immediately and isolate until further notice," the hotel said in the Facebook statement.

"As we continue to create and nurture an environment of trust so that our people feel valued, we continue to support our team wholly throughout their period of isolation.

"With our precautionary expert deep clean now complete, and with the support of NSW Health and local Police, we feel confident to safely reopen our doors."

Updated at 12:14pm AEDT on 31 March 2021.

"Encouraging news" as QLD records two new community cases

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the state's residents for a "mighty" effort to try and contain a COVID-19 outbreak with more than 33,000 tests overnight, revealing just three new cases including one in hotel quarantine.

The two cases of community transmission are both connected to a nurse who works at the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital, which went into lockdown last night while the Mater Hospital nearby also sent home some staff after it was revealed a COVID-19 case visited its maternity ward.

Yesterday evening Queensland Health also announced several new venues visited by known cases, flagging Gold Coast locations and events including a surf life saving competition in Tugun, the HOTA Markets at Bundall, a few cafés and an escape room in Southport.

But the Premier is encouraged by the figures to date as Greater Brisbane crosses the halfway mark of its three-day lockdown. Of the Queensland's 71 active cases in hospitals, only 13 were acquired locally.

"This is fantastic news that over the past 24 hours there have been 33,408 tests - that is a massive, massive number. I think that's probably our highest," Premier Palaszczuk said.

"If we see the same number of test results tomorrow, this is very, very encouraging news. The fact that we do not have any unlinked community transmission in the Southeast or in our state is absolutely encouraging news."

The Premier said if the news is still encouraging tomorrow, the hotspot for Greater Brisbane will be lifted.

From 8am today, only staff who have had their COVID-19 vaccines can look after people with the virus in the state's hospitals.

"I want to thank [Chief Health Officer] Dr [Jeannette] Young for putting that mandate in place. It makes sense and that'll be an added protective measure for our staff," the Premier said.

Today's new cases are part of the cluster involving the original PA nurse who was infected, although they are not believed to have caught it from her but rather the same returned overseas traveller at the hospital.

"The nurse was fantastic, she really is to be commended. She developed symptoms at 11 O'Clock on Sunday morning, immediately came forward and got tested. We had a very rapid testing turnaround, so we've got that result late on Sunday," Dr Young said.

Updated at 9:27am AEST on 31 March 2021.

Bluesfest to go ahead without punters from Brisbane on day one

??Update: Bluesfest 2021 has been cancelled over commnity transmission fears. Read more here.

The promoters of Byron Bay music festival Bluesfest have reassured punters the event is going ahead in two days' time, but ticket holders from Greater Brisbane will not be allowed to attend on day one.

The announcement comes despite concerns COVID-19 may have spread in Byron Bay after two infected sisters attended a hen's night party in the Northern New South Wales town over the weekend.

Queensland Health confirmed five more COVID-19 cases who also attended that event have been connected to the sisters. In addition, NSW Health added more venues to its list of locations of concern this morning.

Nevertheless, the five-day celebration of blues and roots music is expected to go ahead this Easter long weekend. The 2020 edition was cancelled just days before it was meant to begin due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Based on advice from NSW Health, festival organisers will not allow ticket holders affected by the three-day lockdown in Greater Brisbane to attend the festival on day one, that being Thursday, 1 April.

"We will keep ticket buyers informed and advise them to also keep updated via their state government advice," says Bluesfest.

"Festival Director Peter Noble has been in contact with NSW Health this morning and spoken with NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard. We are expecting further updates from NSW Health and will remain in close contact in the coming days."

The event will also be ensuring COVID-safe measures are in place, including asking attendees to sign in with Service NSW's QR code, having people be socially distanced, and keeping attendees in designated seating zones during performances.

Hazzard has reiterated the message of Bluesfest, telling those from Brisbane to stay home on Thursday.

"To the people of Brisbane who might have bought tickets to come to Bluesfest, do not come!" Hazzard said.

"Thursday is out of any question if you listened to what your government is saying. If the Government in Queensland extends the lockdown period, and we are not saying they will at this stage, but if they do, clearly people who have bought or are buying tickets from Brisbane are not welcome to attend the festival.

"In essence, people who have not been to Brisbane or to the areas that have been highlighted by the Greater Brisbane area; highlighted by the Queensland government, yes you are welcome, but nobody else during this particular period, so just be very cautious on that front."

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 overnight, but a number of new locations were added to a list of venues of concern.

In addition to a list of venues of concern released yesterday afternoon, NSW Health says anyone who attended the following venues in Byron Bay is considered a close contact and must self-isolate for 14 days:

• Mokha Café patrons who sat in the Feros Arcade laneway, Saturday 27 March from 11am-12pm
• Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co patrons who sat in the Feros Arcade laneway, Saturday 27 March from 11am-12pm.

Further, NSW Health has expanded its warning for the Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park, asking anyone who was at the park from Friday 26 March to Sunday 28 March to get tested and self-isolate until a negative test result is received. Initially, the warning was for the women's communal toilets at the park.

The same direction applies for patrons of Mokha Café who were sitting inside or out the front of the venue (not in the laneway) from 11am-12pm on Saturday 27 March.

"Because known COVID-19 cases spent time at a shared outdoor laneway in Feros Arcade, NSW Health has identified two venues of concern," says NSW Health.

"The known cases were located in an outdoor section of the Mokha Café, in very close proximity to the outdoor section of Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co, meaning anyone who attended those outdoor sections of both restaurants is considered a close contact.

"Anyone who attended the indoor section of Mokha Café is considered a casual contact, but those indoors at Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co are not considered at risk of transmission at this time."

NSW Health has established new COVID-19 testing clinics in Byron Bay, including a drive-through, and Byron Central Hospital will increase its operating hours. NSW Health is also extending the hours of operation of other nearby testing clinics, including those in Tweed and Ballina.

Updated at 12.59pm AEDT on 30 March 2021.

Eight new cases in Queensland COVID-19 outbreak

Queensland has reported eight cases of community transmission overnight linked to two distinct clusters that have emerged, both arising from workers at the PA Hospital.

In total, 10 new cases of COVID-19 were detected including two cases in hotel quarantine, after the state's capital went into a three-day lockdown at 5pm yesterday.

Six of the community transmission cases are close contacts of confirmed cases, while two are still under investigation but are believed to be linked to a known historic infection.

There are now 78 active cases of COVID-19 in Queensland's hospitals, with the majority acquired overseas.

Based on genomic testing, the clusters have been divided into two groups: one connected to a doctor at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and the other to a nurse from the same medical facility.

Of today's cases, five are linked to the nurse and her sister, and all attended a hen's night party in Byron Bay over the weekend. One of those five is a man living on the Gold Coast – an entertainer at the event.

The new cases come after 14,589 Queenslanders got tested for COVID-19 yesterday.

"We have seen a rapid escalation in testing numbers, which is fantastic, so we can find if we have further spread anywhere," Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said.

With an influx of overseas travellers from Papua New Guinea, the number of active cases in Queensland's hospitals has ballooned in the space of a month, up from five in late February to 78 today. Of the total active cases, 65 were acquired overseas.

Palaszczuk notes new mandates for health professionals working with COVID-19 cases are coming into effect, ensuring all health workers in Queensland's coronavirus wards have received at least the first of two vaccine doses.

In terms of vaccination efforts, the Premier notes 89 per cent frontline healthcare workers and hotel quarantine workers have received at least the first jab.

Palaszczuk notes the call to place Brisbane into lockdown yesterday was the right one, considering the number of new cases reported today.

"We want to get on top of this community transmission, so the steps that we took to go into this lockdown, as you can see by those numbers of community transmission today, was absolutely the right call," says the Premier.

Queensland Health continues to provide updates on locations where COVID-19 cases visited. Late yesterday Brisbane CBD locations were added, including the Hanwoori Korean BBQ Restaurant and the Wintergarden carpark, while other locations have been added including a cafe near the Mater hospital and a gym in Morningside.

This afternoon authorities added a cafe in Newfarm to the list of venues, in addition to a cafe and chemist in the southern Gold Coast suburb of Tugun near the NSW border.

NSW is also on high alert in response to the outbreak in Queensland after confirmed cases visited a number of venues in Byron Bay. 

While no new cases were recorded in NSW overnight, the state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian said "we need to brace ourselves".

Globally the COVID-19 situation is far different than here in Australia. Over the past month, daily case numbers have been climbing. Just yesterday 441,857 new infections were recorded and more than 7,000 deaths.

Most of yesterday's new infections were in the US (59,707), followed by India (56,199) and Brazil (42,666).

Originally published at 10.29am AEDT on 30 March 2021, and updated at 4:42pm AEDT.

NSW Health publishes alert for more Byron Bay venues

NSW Health has issued a public health alert for several Byron Bay venues visited by two women who tested positive to COVID-19 in Queensland overnight, in addition to the Byron Beach Hotel and The Farm which were already named by authorities north of the border.

Greater Brisbane entered a three-day lockdown at 5pm AEST (6pm AEDT) in response to a growing cluster with the infectious UK variant of COVID-19, which has prompted new requirements around the country including stricter no-entry measures from the likes of South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

NSW health authorities have urged everyone in NSW, especially in the Byron Bay area, to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms and self-isolate until they get a negative result.

Anyone who has been to Greater Brisbane since 20 March and is now in NSW is required to stay at home, although those who have travelled through Brisbane Airport are exempt from these orders.

Individuals travelling to NSW from the Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redland local government areas (LGAs) will need to fill out declaration forms which are available on the Service NSW website.

"This form includes contact details and confirmation whether people have been to any venues of concern. Declaration forms can be completed within the 24-hour period prior to entering NSW, or on entry to NSW," NSW Health said.

"NSW Health is advising people in NSW against non-essential travel to the Greater Brisbane area at this time."

Anyone who has been to the following venue must immediately get tested and self-isolate and remain in isolation until further advice is provided by NSW Health:

• Byron Beach Hotel, Friday 26 March from 7-9pm
• Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park women's communal toilets, 26 March from 6-6:30pm and 9:10-9:30pm, 27 March from 3:20-3:50pm
• Mokha Café, 27 March from 10:30am-11:30am
• The Farm Byron Bay, 28 March from 8:45am-10:30am

The following Byron Bay locations are listed as casual contact venues. Those who have been to any of these places at the listed times should immediately self-isolate and get tested regardless of symptoms, and stay in isolation until a negative result is received:

• Ghanda Clothing, 27 March from 12:00-12:15pm
• Tiger Lily, 27 March from 12:25-12:30pm
• Black Sheep, 27 March from 12:30-12:40pm
• Quiksilver, 27 March from 12:40-12:45pm
• Suffolk Bakery, 27 March from 2:45-3:15pm
• Park Hotel Bottle Shop, 27 March from 7:30-7:45pm

Updated at 6:09pm AEDT on 29 March 2021.

WA and VIC join SA in slamming borders shut to Brisbane

Update: Since this article was originally published, authorities in the Northern Territory and Tasmania have also announced various restrictions and requirements for anyone intending to travel from Queensland or the Byron Bay area. 

In response to a growing outbreak of COVID-19 in Brisbane, Western Australia and Victoria will introduced new hard-border measures aimed at containing the virus within Queensland.

The moves come after South Australia announced it will be implementing a hard border to Greater Brisbane from 4pm today, with only returning residents, essential workers, and those relocating able to enter the state.

WA has reclassified QLD as 'medium risk', meaning travel from the entire state into WA will no longer be permitted from 12.01am Tuesday 30 March, while VIC is only blocking out those who have been in Greater Brisbane from 6.00pm tonight.

The list of those exempt from WA's new restrictions is short and only includes essential travellers and Western Australians that may have travelled to QLD recently and need to return home.

Exempt travellers arriving after midnight tomorrow night will need to self-quarantine for two weeks, present for COVID-19 testing at Perth Airport and further testing on day 11 after arrival.

Further, anyone who has arrived from Queensland since 12.01am on Saturday 27 March is required to self-quarantine for 14 days and present for a COVID-19 test on day 11 after arrival in WA.

"The reintroduction of a hard border with Queensland is based on the latest health advice.

"We've been monitoring the situation closely and have scaled up our border controls as required, to keep our community safe.

"The hard border measure is necessary and is our best defence in keeping the virus out."

In contrast to WA, VIC's measures are directed only at the Greater Brisbane area, with the state government upgrading its classification of the region to a 'red zone'.

This means non-Victorian residents are not allowed to enter VIC without an exception.

Victorian residents in Greater Brisbane can apply for a 'red zone' permit to return, however on arrival they must go straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days.

More details regarding VIC's border closure will come later today.

As it stands, New South Wales is taking a self-quarantine approach based on venues of concern - those being locations visited by COVID-19 positive cases.

The Northern Territory has announced it will require visitors to enter a 72-hour self-isolation and get tested if they have been in Brisbane or the Moreton Bay region since 20 March, and the same requirements will apply to those who have been in Ipswich, Redlands, Logan or Gladstone since 25 March. 

Anyone who has been in the Byron Shire before entering the NT after 27 March will need to be tested. 

This afternoon the Tasmanian government announced anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane within 14 days of their travel to the state would not be allowed to enter, unless they are approved as an essential traveller.

Anyone travelling to Tasmania who has been in Queensland within 14 days of their arrival will have their Tas e-Travel registration, and they will need to reapply to identify if they have been in any high-risk areas.

"If approved you will be required to quarantine at a suitable premises on arrival for 14 days. If you don't have a suitable premises you will be required to quarantine in Government-designated accommodation (fees can apply)," Tasmanian authorities said in an update.

"If you are currently in Tasmania and have been in any of the five identified Local Government Areas since Saturday March 20 or NSW high-risk premises on the dates and time specified, you must self-isolate immediately and contact the Public Health Hotline to arrange a test even if you are not experiencing symptoms."

Tasmanian Public Health has also declared a number of premises in Byron Bay as high-risk.

Originally published at 3.58pm AEDT on 29 March 2021, updated at 5:45pm AEDT.

SA closing border to Greater Brisbane from 4pm today

The South Australian border to Greater Brisbane will be slammed shut from 4pm (ACDT) today as Queensland's capital goes into a snap three day lockdown.

In response to the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in Brisbane, now at seven cases, South Australia has declared the city a hotspot and will impose a hard border.

Only returning SA residents, essential workers, and people relocating to the state will be permitted to cross the border and must isolate for 14 days on arrival.

People entering from Brisbane will also be required to get tested for COVID-19 on days one, five and 13 of the isolation period.

In addition, anyone who has entered SA from Greater Brisbane since 20 March must get tested and self-isolate, and only leave isolation once a negative result is received.

These people will also be banned from going to any venues with a COVID-management plan - venues with a capacity of more than 1,000 people.

"This would have been our Fringe and Festival, so thankfully that has now passed," SA chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said.

"But there may be some other events that have been planned in our state over the coming days and, again, that list will be put up on our website."

This weekend's AFL match between Adelaide and the Gold Coast has also been put into jeopardy as players are not considered to be 'essential workers' and will not be allowed into SA.

NSW Health has also updated those in Byron Bay about the evolving COVID-19 situation in the region.

More testing clinics with increased hours will be established across Northern NSW today after one of the COVID-19 positive people from Brisbane visited the region over the weekend.

Health authorities in both SA and NSW have encouraged anyone with even the mildest symptoms to get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.

Updated at 1.59pm AEDT on 29 March 2021.