Keeping Queensland’s future COVID safe

The Palaszczuk Government has launched a clear plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions during October, November and December.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new roadmap gives more certainty to the community and businesses through to the end of this year by outlining monthly easing of restrictions – including increasing gatherings in public spaces, unseated drinking and eating, dancing at weddings and removing some border restrictions.

“Queenslanders deserve the credit for this,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“And from 4pm today, Queenslanders will be able to celebrate this achievement by getting a drink or a meal out without having to be seated. 

“We have always said that we would continue to ease restrictions where we could in a staged and balanced way to keep Queenslanders safe – and this plan does just that.

“We’ve had to make hard decisions, but it is because of these decisions and the hard work of Queenslanders that we are in the position to continue easing restrictions.

“It’s because of our strong health response to the COVID19 pandemic that we can get on with Queensland’s economic recovery plan.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said COVID safe checks would be undertaken at the end of each month before the state moves into further stages. 

“We’ve based our decisions about COVID-19 restrictions on the best health advice available and we will continue to do so to make sure we keep Queensland’s future safe,” Mr Miles said.

“Our Chief Health Officer and public health team will analyse intrastate, interstate and international data before any decision to move to the next stage.

“We have proved that our methods work to protect Queenslanders from COVID-19 and, if the health advice changes at any stage, we can act quickly to increase measures to keep Queenslanders safe and save lives.

“But right now, case numbers are low, we can contain potential outbreaks - our quarantine and contact tracing procedures work, and we have not had a COVID-19 fatality in almost six months.

“I want to thank the hard work of the community and our health heroes that made this possible.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young thanked Queenslanders for being so cooperative with public health directions and restrictions. 

“The hard work of Queenslanders has helped us to the strong position our state is in today – it has been a fantastic result,” Dr Young said.

“So that we can keep easing restrictions, it is vital that we maintain physical distance (think two big steps), wear a facemask in public when physical distancing is not possible and wash your hands.

“But most importantly, if you are sick, get tested and stay at home.”

Stage 4 of the Roadmap started at 1am on 1 October by extending the Northern NSW border zone and moving Queenslanders outside, where a Summertime Taskforce will also be established to identify more outdoor opportunities. Unseated drinking and eating will come into effect from 4pm 2 October.

If there is no unlinked community transmission in NSW for 28 days, Stage 5 could start from 1am 1 November and will see the Queensland border open up to NSW visitors and return travellers, while also increasing public gatherings to 40 people, permitting unseated drinking and eating at venues with a COVID Safe Plan and allowing up to 40 people to dance at a wedding with a COVID Safe Plan.

Stage 6, anticipated from 1am 1 December, will see public gatherings increase to 50 people, increased attendances at outdoor events and no restrictions on people dancing at weddings.

The Queensland border will remain closed to Victoria until community transmission is under control.

Media contact:

Chris Taylor (Premier’s office) – 0400 990 162
Katharine Wright (Deputy Premier’s office) – 0422 580 342