In a statement made jointly by the Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade (The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP) and Minister of Health and Ambulance Services (The Honourable Yvette D’Ath MP) earlier this morning, Greater Brisbane will be put under lockdown for the next three days commencing from 6PM tonight. This will impact the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan; and was made due to the detection of the highly contagious UK strain of COVID-19.
This lockdown will require the public to stay at home during this period, except for the following reasons:
- to attend work if you can’t work from home;
- to buy essentials like groceries and medicine;
- look after the vulnerable; and
- exercise within their neighbourhood
This lockdown ultimately means that any live performance due to commence or run through past 6PM this evening will no longer be able to go ahead. With Queensland theatres only just being able to open up again following the pandemic and lowering of COVID-19 restrictions, this will add another layer of uncertainty, given if this new strain cannot be put under control, the lockdown may run for longer.
Fortunately as things get back to a new normal, there does not appear to be a major impact on the Greater Brisbane arts and culture scene. However, some of the major venues will experience cancellations. These include:
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Shrek the Musical, including what was planned to be its official opening night.
- Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show, the final performances which are unlikely to be extended
- The Beamish Brothers at Green Jam
Queensland Cultural Precinct incl. QAGOMA, Queensland Museum and State Library of Queensland
- All Exhibitions and Planned Cinema Screenings over this period will be cancelled
For those who have paid tickets to a performance or exhibition, you will either be contacted by the venue with further instructions on how to get a refund or reschedule, or automatically be given a refund.
While the lockdown could very well be lifted at 6PM on Monday, those with tickets in the coming week should at least somewhat prepare for disappointment should the lockdown be extended.
Please do not harass or berate any ticketing staff over these cancellations, as this is well beyond their control, and are ultimately the ones left to resolve the issues of hundreds of patrons with limited remedies
