Premier maps road to easing restrictions

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has released Queensland’s roadmap to a COVID-safe recovery allowing more travel, more activities and larger gatherings.

From 11.59pm, Friday May 15, the following will be allowed:

• Gatherings of a maximum of 10 people together in a public space
• Dining in at restaurants, pubs, clubs, RSLs and cafes for a maximum of 10 patrons at one time as part of a gradual re-opening (no bars or gaming)
• Recreational travel of a radius of up to 150km from your home for day trips
• Some beauty therapies and nail salons for up to 10 people at one time
• Reopening of libraries. playground equipment, skate parks and  outdoor gyms (a maximum of 10 at one time)
• Wedding guests increased to 10 people and funeral attendance  increased to 20 (30 outdoors)
• Open homes and auctions with a maximum of 10 people at one time;
• Re-opening public pools and lagoons (eg South Bank, Cairns, Airlie Beach) with a maximum of 10 people at a time or greater numbers with an approved plan

For Outback Queensland, where there have been no COVID cases, two special concessions have been made:

• Dining in at pubs and cafes will be up to 20 for locals only, reflecting the important role these venues play in connecting small outback communities; and
• Recreational travel of a radius of up to 500 kilometres reflecting the long distances in the Outback.

Stage Two, effective 11.59pm, Friday June 12 would provide for:

• Gatherings at homes with a maximum of 20 visitors
• Dining-in at restaurants, pubs, clubs, cafes and RSLs for up to 20 patrons at a time and an option for more with an approved COVID-safe plan
• Holiday travel within your region

The Premier said Stage Three would include reviews of border closures and build to 100 customers for venues giving certainty to business, communities and families to be able to plan ahead.

“All things going well, from June school holidays, Queenslanders will be able to drive and stay at accommodation for the first time since the pandemic hit,” the Premier said.

“These are sensible, gradual steps to a safe COVID recovery that reconnects our communities and keeps the economy moving,” the Premier said.

“Last weekend we announced the first wave of eased restrictions and Queenslanders did us proud.

“Let’s keep it up to move to stages two and three.

“We want to keep taking steps forward, not backwards.

“We don’t want to undo all our good work.”

Stages Two and Three aim at gradually increasing travel distances and numbers for businesses in time for June school holidays.

“This is when we want people to be able to take a drive holiday within their region so that Queenslanders can back Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the key to the recovery was maintaining social distancing and staying home if you are unwell.

“Queensland can be proud of the way we have managed the spread of COVID-19,” the Minister said.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said increases in COVID-19 cases are possible but manageable if Queensland continues its careful approach.

“People have been wonderful,” Dr Young said.

“That has got us this far.

“We have to keep vigilant and take each step carefully.”

More details: 

https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

Media contact – Chris Taylor 0408 975 225