The Chief Health Officer is closely watching Queensland after a doctor returned a positive COVID-19 test after treating COVID-19-positive patients in a Brisbane Hospital.

The doctor visited a number of locations across Brisbane on Thursday after coming into contact with the infected patients.

Queensland authorities have identified three “high-risk sites” from Thursday 11 March 2021, which are:

• Morning After cafe at West End 2.00pm to 3.15pm
• Corporate Box gym at Greenslopes 5.45pm to 7pm
• Stones Corner Hotel at Stones Corner 7.00pm and 7.45pm

McDonalds at Coorparoo has also been identified as a low-risk site.

For more information about Queensland high risk locations visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing

The Chief Health Officer has made a direction that those people currently in the Northern Territory who have visited the high risk locations in Brisbane, at the specified date and time, must get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours and self-quarantine until a negative test is returned.

Please contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 008 002 to book a test. You do not need to have a COVID-19 test if you did not attend the three high risk sites. 

If you are intending to travel to the Northern Territory from Brisbane and have visited an exposure site you are advised to rethink your plans. If you are a Territorian intending to travel to Brisbane you are advised to rethink your plans.

The Chief Health Officer will continue to review and assess the COVID-19 situation in Brisbane and will take into account COVID-19 monitoring and data collection, the extent of community transmission and risks to the NT community.

The risk of COVID-19 in our communities cannot be eliminated which is why it is important for everyone to follow all health directions.

• If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not travel. Make sure you get tested and stay at home.
• Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres at all times.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitiser regularly.
• Do not go to work if you feel sick.
• If you have symptoms, stay away from others and get tested for COVID-19.

Quotes attributable to Chief Health Officer, Dr Hugh Heggie:

“I continue to monitor the emerging situation in Brisbane which at this time is contained to just one case. We will watch and wait while Queensland undertake their contact tracing and to see if any additional cases occur.

“We need a considered approach to incidences such as this, and based on current clinical evidence our response is proportionate at this time.

“Travel remains a risk in 2021; the threat of COVID-19 is still very real. We will not hesitate to declare a hotspot if required, and anyone who is currently in or intending to travel to Brisbane should monitor the situation and assess the risk. 

“It also timely to consider how important it is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Northern Territory is on track to administer first doses to nearly every frontline worker as Part of Phase 1A with second doses commencing this week.”