Restrictions on visitors at hospitals

TOOWOOMBA’S two private hospitals have blocked visitors from Brisbane, and the number of people allowed in homes and public spaces has been reduced, as fears of a COVID-19 second wave in south-east Queensland ramp up.

The state recorded nine new cases on Saturday, and two new cases on Sunday, with a number of those cases linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre cluster.

None of those cases were in Toowoomba or the Darling Downs, Darling Downs Health confirmed.

Despite this, gatherings in homes and public spaces has been reduced to 30 people across Queensland, including Toowoomba.

In the Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Redland City local government areas, that number is 10 people.

“If you’re planning on catching up with friends or family … and feeling under the weather, stay home,” a Darling Downs Health spokesperson said.

“Gatherings in private homes and public spaces have been restricted to a maximum of 30 people.

“These limits do not apply to businesses operating under a COVID Safe plan.”

Most cafes, restaurants and shopping centres would have COVID Safe plans in place.

Toowoomba’s two private hospitals have announced new restrictions for visitors.

St Andrew’s Hospital has barred visitors from the eight local government areas listed above, and the ICU and CMU are closed to all visitors.

St Vincent’s Private Hospital said people who resided in any of those same areas were not allowed to visit patients in their wards.