Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced on Saturday morning that the detection of six new cases of the highly contagious Delta strain of Coronavirus overnight had prompted the government to call a snap three-day lockdown from 4pm on Saturday.

"We have seen from the experience in other states that the only way to beat the Delta strain is to move quickly, to be fast, and to be strong," Deputy Premier Miles said.

"That is now the nationally agreed approach."

The Dragons were due to fly from Brisbane to Rockhampton for their 3pm clash with the Rabbitohs but the traveling party were notified moments before departing the hotel that their flight was delayed.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young gave a flat "no" when asked if NRL games would go ahead, saying any players who've been in the Brisbane hub could not travel to play anywhere.

"There will be no football matches," she said.

"No community sport, no professional sport, nothing for the next three days."

The Rabbitohs were already en route to Rockhampton, the news dropping while they were mid-air, with the NRL in a mad scramble to keep the competition afloat.

They landed in Rockhampton but were not allowed to leave the plane that was subsequently sent back to Brisbane.

The NRL is now looking at options for the game to possibly be played on Sunday after also postponing Saturday's double-header at Suncorp Stadium, with the Knights and Raiders the first match followed by a grand final rematch between Melbourne and Penrith.

"The NRL respects the decision of the Queensland Government to keep the community safe and healthy following local transmission of COVID-19 in southeast Queensland," the NRL said in a statement.

"The NRL is continuing discussions with the Queensland Government to possibly play matches tomorrow (Sunday).

"All players will remain on Level 4 Biosecurity Protocols and comply with all Queensland Public Health orders to keep the local community safe."

The NRL will also consider the possibility of playing mid-week games should the lockdown lift after the initial three days, a move the AFL has made in postponing three games scheduled to be played in Queensland over the weekend.

It comes just two weeks after the whole NRL competition shifted north to Queensland in response to the Sydney COVID outbreak.

Expected to cost in the vicinity $15 million a month, 13 non-Queensland clubs are currently spread across hotels on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, all LGA's included in the lockdown.

Players' families have also been transferred to Queensland, enduring strict quarantine measures ahead of re-uniting with their partners.