The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszcuzk, has announced the early lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in greater Brisbane, after the state recorded just one community-acquired case from a record number of tests.
The lockdown will end at midday in Queensland – five hours ahead of schedule – in order to reduce traffic chaos heading into the Easter long weekend.
Nine new cases were detected in hotel quarantine. The one new case contracted in the community was described by the state chief health officer, Jeanette Young, as “the perfect case”.
The woman was part of a group that travelled to Byron Bay for a hen’s weekend. She initially tested negative, but has been in isolation since as a precaution and posed “no risk at all”.
Some restrictions will remain in place across Queensland for the next fortnight, including a mandate that people carry masks at all times, and wear masks in indoor public spaces.
People visiting restaurants and other establishments must remain seated. Home gatherings are limited to 30 people.
Easter church services can be “100% capacity” provided churches implement social distancing rules and other guidelines.
“Easter is good to go,” Palaszczuk said, repurposing the state’s current tourism campaign slogan.
“I understand a lot of families in the greater Brisbane [area] 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, the lockdown is lifted from 12 noon today and I encourage people to take care on the roads.”
Palaszczuk said the lockdown could be lifted because there had been no unlinked cases and large numbers of tests had occurred.
“Queenslanders have come out in their thousands to be tested. Thank you, thank you, thank you. There have been 34,711 tests. Another record.”
