Queenslanders have been told not to leave their suburb unless they need to go to work, the supermarket, chemist or bank.

"I need your family to stay in your neighbourhood as much as possible," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Sunday.

The public can support shops and restaurants in their local neighbourhood but have been urged to restrict non-essential travel and stay close to home. Credit:Justin McManus

Ms Palaszczuk’s plea comes as the state’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbed by 38 overnight, with the total now at 259.

Health Minister Steven Miles said aside from the Gold Coast, there was yet to be widespread community transmission in Queensland and most of the people who tested positive were residents returning from overseas.