Queensland's three-day lockdown explained

Several areas of Queensland will be plunged into a three-day lockdown following the multiple new COVID-19 community cases in the state.

From 6pm today, the local government areas of Townsville, Palm Island, Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast will only be allowed to leave their homes for select reasons. 

The lockdown will initially run until 6pm on Friday. 

READ MORE: Three-day lockdown announced for parts of Queensland

Lockdown rules explained

Residents in the affected areas can only leave their homes for four reasons: buying essentials such as groceries or medications; travelling to work or study if it cannot be done from home; exercising; visiting a healthcare centre or providing help, care or support. 

Further restrictions include 20 people being allowed to attend funerals and 10 people being allowed to attend weddings, but no dancing or singing is allowed.

There is also a two-visitor limit in homes (excluding volunteers and workers) while restaurants and cafes will only be allowed to provide take away or home delivery.

If exercising outside, you're allowed to be with your household group and/or one other person not from your household.

Indoor gyms, cinemas, entertainment venues, recreational venues, beauty, personal care and places of worship will all be forced to close. 

Aged care, correctional centres, hospitals and disability service providers will also be closed to visitors.

Childcare centres will be allowed to remain open.

Residents are required to continue to wear a mask when they leave their home unless they have an exempt medical condition or are going to a workplace where it is not safe to do so, in accordance with Queensland's two-week mask mandate.

Masks may be removed when sitting down to eat and drink, undertaking strenuous exercise and for employment purposes.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown would be tough on families with the ongoing school holidays but said it is necessary to keep Queenslanders safe. 

"I know this is going to be tough for a lot of families," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I apologise for that."