The Premier has declared that Queensland has entered its fourth wave of COVID-19 as the state records a sharp increase in cases.
Annastacia Palaszczuk told State Parliament on Thursday morning that Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, has now recommended the state’s new COVID-19 traffic light system move from green to amber.
The changes will come into effect on Friday.
This means masks are now recommended again in healthcare settings, on public transport and rideshares, indoors where you cannot socially distance, if you’re older or at risk, and if you are around a vulnerable person.
“It’s time to be alert – not alarmed,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Hospitalisations in Queensland have doubled to 203 in the past week. The state has also recorded 73 deaths and 21,761 new cases since the beginning of October.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said she was confident the state would be able to deal with the increase in cases.
“We’ve been here before, we know how to do this, we’ve done it many times before,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Queenslanders have been put to the test time and time again and each and every time we have prevailed.
“I’m sure this time will be no different.”
Ms D’Ath said the change in alert level to amber does not mean new rules for residents.
“As we have identified before, this does not mean that any enforceable directions are being issued by the Chief Health Officer,” she said.
“Instead, it means the Chief Health Officer is indicating to the public that we need to raise our level of alertness and be prepared to take measures to protect ourselves from a high rate of community transmission.”
