27 May 2021

Dear colleagues,

The Queensland Government has put new restrictions in place today in response to the growing numbers in the Melbourne outbreak.

We are awaiting the formal directive tonight, but from the media statement today we know that from 1am Friday 28 May, all of Victoria will be a declared hotspot.

Anyone entering Queensland from Victoria will be required to complete 14 days of hotel quarantine. Anyone who has arrived in Queensland between 1am 27 May 2021 to 1am 28 May 2021 that has been in Victoria in the last 14 days, will be required to go into lockdown as set out by Victoria. That means you will only be able to leave for the below essential reasons:

• to get essential goods or services – such as groceries, pet food, medical or necessary supplies
• for medical or health care, including fulfilling carer responsibilities and to get a COVID-19 test – including a COVID vaccine IF you already have an appointment booked and have no symptoms. You must let the clinic know you have been in Victoria in the last 14 days.
• for an end of life visit if an exemption has been granted by the Chief Health Officer and allowed by the facility you are attending
• to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm – for example, escaping risk of harm related to domestic and family violence or accessing support from a domestic and family violence support service
• to exercise outdoors alone or with someone from your household
• for essential work, with an exemption from the Chief Health Officer.

It is vital that anyone who has been in Victoria in the last 14 days to monitor their symptoms and get tested if they develop any symptoms, no matter how mild.

All facilities will be required to have appropriate signage at all key entrances, which will be facilitated through Metro North EOC.

I will update you tomorrow morning with the details of the directive and we will assist you to put in place the necessary next steps. Thank you for your continued diligence and patience during what is proving to be challenging as we wade through the plethora of information.

Kind regards,

Alanna Geary
Metro North Incident Controller