Sky News reporter Brendan Smith says Brisbane is now a “ghost town” as the strict three-day lockdown announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk comes into full effect.

From 6pm Friday, residents in the local council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands are required to stay home until 6pm Monday night, and only allowed to receive two visitors into their homes.

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed they will only be allowed to leave their homes for four essential reasons, including shopping for essential goods, providing health care or support for a vulnerable person, work – if working from home is absolutely not possible – and exercise.

A mask mandate will be implemented for the same time period – with residents in the same local government areas required to don a mask upon leaving their place of residence.

The state reported one new infection on Thursday in a hotel quarantine cleaner.

Ms Palaszczuk said the lockdown was in response to concerns the mutant strain of the virus from the United Kingdom could enter the community and very quickly spiral out of control.

Mr Smith said Brisbane’s CBD has now become a “ghost town” after the lockdown came into play.

He also spoke of the “simply ridiculous” panic buying scenes which were seen in Brisbane ahead of the lockdown.

“There is simply no need to do it based on the fact that all shopping centres and supermarkets will be remaining open,” he said.

“The next 72 hours really is going to be crucial to see if anybody else is positive.”