SYDNEY, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- As the Australian state of Queensland grappled with an outbreak of COVID-19 after borders reopening, authorities reintroduced restrictions around the state.
Queensland health authorities reported 20 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, four of which were acquired overseas. Seven people infected interstate, and nine contracted in the community.
The restrictive measure came after Australia opened its borders to international travellers on Wednesday and the state reopened to interstate travellers from New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, which are epicenters of the current outbreak in the country.
NSW on Friday reported 2,213 new COVID-19 cases and one death, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country early 2020, while Victoria reported 1,510 new cases and seven deaths.
In response to the surging cases, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that from 1:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, masks will be mandatory across the state in locations including public transport, ride share, airports and planes, shops and retail centers, hospitals and aged care.
Unvaccinated people will also be unable to visit vulnerable settings from Friday, including hospitals, residential aged care, or any festivals and entertainment activities, either indoor or outdoor.
"A lot of people coming into our state, seeing family and their loved ones, but we just need protection so we can enjoy our freedoms," Palaszczuk said.
"We are seeing more cases and we definitely don't want to see a massive escalation over Christmas-New Year," Palaszczuk added. Enditem
