3-day COVID lockdown advice from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs

Please note also that planned vacation care and other day care arrangements will be continuing for children during the lockdown.

Message from Ms Mulkerrin on Friday, 8th January 2021 – 

Dear colleagues,

I hope you all enjoyed a safe and relaxing break.

You will likely have seen or heard the news this morning where the Premier announced the Greater Brisbane region will enter a three-day lockdown from 6pm tonight to stop the spread of the highly contagious UK strain of COVID-19 following a positive case this week.

You can find the Premier’s full media statement here and the latest advice including Frequently Asked Questions from Queensland Health about the lockdown here.

I wanted to highlight a key difference to our previous lockdown experience in that masks are essential and will need to be worn everywhere in those local government areas except if people are in their homes.

I want to reassure you that as a department we are well prepared for all possible outcomes with regard to COVID-19. At the moment, we are operating as usual and expect that as one of our funded service providers you will do the same until further advice comes to hand.

Business continuity plans

For those operating within the affected locations, you will need to reactivate your business continuity plans so you are prepared for any potential impacts to service delivery.

If you are able to work from home and continue to deliver services remotely,

I encourage you to do so.

If the contracted obligations of your organisation are impacted by COVID-19, please contact your contract manager in writing promptly, and advise how service delivery has been affected and what strategies you are implementing to minimise the impact. We will work with you to manage an agreed way forward. Any changes to contracts and deliverables will need to be discussed with your contract manager and take into account any health directions where someone connected to your service is confirmed to have contracted COVID19 or is self-isolating on medical advice.

For organisations delivering services to children in care, directly or indirectly, please seek medical advice as appropriate if you become aware a child or an associated household member is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and contact your Child Safety Officer or Child Safety After Hours, as soon as possible.

Wearing of masks

It is essential that we continue to provide a strong level of support to children and young people, women, men and families during this 3-day lockdown period.

If you are delivering essential face-to-face services for children and young people in residential care and women’s shelters, you must wear a mask. If you experience any difficulties in sourcing masks, please contact your contract manager.

Keep informed

Just a reminder that you will find messages relating to COVID-19 and specific resources for residential care services, women’s shelters and domestic and family violence, sexual violence and women’s health services on our department website.

If you have any further questions, please talk to your contract manager.

We did a great job last time we went into lockdown, and I’m confident that together, we’ll get through this lockdown too!

And, as always, please take care of yourself, your family and friends, and stay safe.

Warm regards

Deidre Mulkerin
Director-General
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs