Live performance paused in Brisbane as Queensland Premier announces city-wide lockdown

Live performance venues across Greater Bribane are entering a three-day lockdown as of this afternoon following Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's announcement of an attempt to halt an outbreak of a highly-transmissible variant of COVID-19.

Venues including the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and cinemas, live theatre and other live performances will enter lockdown from 6pm today until 6pm on Monday 11th January.

A statement on the Queensland Government website advised “all non-essential businesses, such as cinemas, live theatre and any other live performances, in the Greater Brisbane area will be closed for the duration of the lockdown period.”

The measures, which also include aquatic facilities, fitness clubs and sporting venues,  allow restaurants and cafes to remain open but only for takeaway purposes.

QPAC made an additional announcement that performances of Shrek The Musical from 3pm today has been called off.

Its statement advised "QPAC will communicate directly with impacted patrons via SMS and email regarding exchanges and refunds for all cancelled performances.

"Performances scheduled for today, Friday 8 January of Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show up to the scheduled 12:30pm performance will go ahead.

"Further performance scheduling will be determined in line with Queensland Government Health directives."

The Queensland Government also noted this meant Greater Brisbane residents could not travel to attend events on the Gold Coast throughout the period.

Images: QPAC by night (top) and a map of the Greater Brisbane region in lockdown (below).