The Queensland Government has announced a three day lockdown, from 6pm tonight (8 January) until 6pm Monday (11 January) for the Greater Brisbane area.
Essentially, this is a return to our restrictions we had in March 2020, with the addition of masks for all residents when out of the home, for work or other purpose (see below).
We have been informed that this is only for 3 days, however, we will not know until Sunday or Monday if these processes have worked.
This applies to residents and businesses in the local government areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Logan and Redlands
People in these areas can only leave home for one of these four reasons:
- To buy essentials like groceries or medications
- Work or study if you can’t do either from home
- Exercise locally
- Healthcare or to provide help, care or support .
Residents of these areas must also wear masks everywhere except at home.
Hotels can open for Take-away food and beverage
- Hotels can provide takeaway food and beverage services.
- There is to be no on-premise trading activity.
- Customers can order, pay and collect their take-away purchases from within the venue. Note – as people are required to wear masks outside, a ‘No Mask, No Service’ policy should be enforced.
- The collection of Contact Tracing Details are not required for take-away purchases but is best practice if practical.
Accommodation guests
Accommodation rooms are treated as residences for the duration of a customer’s stay. Guests should only leave their rooms for one of the four reason above.
Guests can check out and return directly home upon completion of their stay if within the period.
I have had some very good questions regarding what to do with guests booking in for tomorrow or this evening.
Pre 6pm tonight – Members are advised that they can accept bookings, however, best practice in other states has been that if a guest is obviously arriving from a lockdown area they should be advised to get a COVID test both tomorrow and the next day to ensure they are not infections. The guest should self-isolate until they have the “all clear”.
Post 6pm tonight until Monday 6pm – Members can choose to refuse bookings that are obviously from people in the lockdown local government areas. If a guest presents at the property that is obviously from a lock down area, your organisation must make a call on your procedures. This will be difficult, particularly as many Queenslanders are returning from summer holidays and may justifiably be travelling back to Brisbane after an extended period and stop at Gold/Sunshine Coast. Our largest concern is for staff members and that they not be infected or become involved in protracted arguments with guests. Our suggestion is to make your decision on this procedure as soon as possible, advise any guests that have booked already and ensure you staff are well briefed.
When do I have to wear a mask?
We have had it confirmed from Qld Health that ANY staff that are working during these three days are required to wear masks.
In the Greater Brisbane area, for the period of the lockdown, face masks must be worn at all times when you are outside of your home including in the following settings:
- shopping (retail, supermarkets and shopping centres)
- on public/shared transport and waiting areas for public/shared transport
- weddings and funerals
- while waiting for takeaway food
- at workplaces.
Children 12 years and under and people affected by a medical condition are exempt. You do not have to wear a mask at home.
As always, this is a difficult situation for many members. However, we have been through this before. We survived and excelled – I have little doubt that we will do it again.
Spread the word to all your staff members and their families to get tested if they are in any doubt.
Please keep continuing your COVID Safe practices and should you have any questions, contact the QHA at any time.
Regards,
Bernie
