Greater Brisbane's three-day snap lockdown has ended in time for the Easter weekend after Queensland recorded only one new locally-transmitted COVID-19 case.
The new case announced on Thursday, which has been linked to a known outbreak, takes the total number of community infections across two separate Brisbane clusters to 18. Nine new cases were recorded in hotel quarantine.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Thursday morning the lockdown of Greater Brisbane would lift a few hours ahead of schedule at midday local time, after previously flagging the case numbers were "very encouraging".
"That is good news for Queensland and Easter is good to go," she told reporters.
"I understand a lot of families in 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.
"So if you have plans ... I encourage people to take care on the roads."
Almost 35,000 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday.
Ms Palaszczuk said there would be additional restrictions in place across Queensland for the next two weeks, including mandatory mask-wearing in indoor venues, such as shopping centres and on public transport, and a 30 person limit for at-home gatherings.
Patrons at restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs will also have to be seated, she said, and dancing in public venues will not be allowed.
Large outdoor events will be able to proceed if they have a COVID-safe plan in place, while Easter religious services are also permitted with social distancing.
There are currently 82 positive cases in Queensland hospitals, 68 of who are returned overseas travellers.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to request an extension for the state to continue with reduced returning traveller caps until the end of April.
"I think we are the highest state in the country at the moment with the most number of active cases in a hospital, who are returned travellers from overseas," she said.
The Brisbane outbreaks, which were both linked to staff members at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, have leaked into New South Wales after a hen's party travelled to Byron Bay last weekend.
A man in his 20s who was at the same venue as the party tested positive on Tuesday, prompting new restrictions in the state's far north and forcing the cancellation of Byron Bay's Bluesfest.
Queensland's new case was an attendee at the Byron Bay party, who quarantined for the duration of their infectious period.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the new case posed no risk to the community.
"[It is] definitely a linked case, but [there's] also that additional bonus that they're in quarantine," she said. "We can be reasonably confident that we don't have other chains of transmission happening out there in the community."
NSW recorded one new locally acquired COVID-19 infection in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday - the case acquired in Byron Bay that had already been announced.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
'Easter is good to go': Brisbane's coronavirus lockdown lifts as Queensland records one new local case - SBS News
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