Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) has imposed Stage Three COVID-19 restrictions on all South-East Queensland prisons and Community Corrections Districts from the NSW border up to and including Bundaberg.
In a statement, QCS said further cases of COVID-19 had been identified at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre following the notification of a positive case for a youth worker at that facility.
“This latest development has meant Queensland Health is rapidly scaling up contact tracing and testing of COVID-19 related to the latest cases,” QCS said.
“Accordingly, as contact tracing and testing continues, on the advice from the Chief Health Officer, a large number of our centres and offices have moved to Stage Three Restrictions.”
It said that under the restrictions, only essential workers, including QCS and Queensland Health staff, would be permitted to enter the prisons.
“Every person entering the prison will undergo health screening, including thermal imaging, and new-reception prisoners are subject to 14-day isolation protocols,” it said.
Meanwhile, Queensland Health has put in place extra protection measures following the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre outbreak.
Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young ordered upgraded restrictions on aged and other care facilities and hospitals across Greater Brisbane, and Ipswich and surrounds.
“This is a very significant issue and we need people to take it seriously,” Dr Young said.
“Visits to aged and other care facilities in those areas need to again be postponed. Movement of staff between facilities needs to be reduced as much as reasonably possible,” she said.
