Relaxed weekend beckons as restrictions ease sooner across Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced some restrictions – including a ban on community sport – will ease earlier than planned.

Thanks to the good work of Queenslanders in containing the Delta outbreak a raft of restrictions will ease from 4pm on Friday.

Premier Palaszczuk said the move to relax restrictions was testament to the Queensland’s excellent response to the latest Delta outbreaks.

“We faced a very tough test in the past month with the Indooroopilly cluster and two cases in Cairns,” the Premier said.

“But once again, Queenslanders proved they were up to the challenge. I’m beyond proud to live in a state where people look after each other and understand the need to comply with health directions.

“I have no doubt that the restrictions put in place saved lives. But we are now in the fortunate position of being able to wind back these restrictions so people can resume a life as normal as possible.

“While restrictions will not ease until Friday afternoon, I am announcing them today so Queenslanders can put in place plans for the coming weekend.”

From 4pm Friday, restrictions will ease in the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Lockyer, Somerset, Logan, Redland, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa and Scenic Rim.

They include allowing:

• up to 30 people in homes and public spaces
• up to 100 attendees at weddings with a maximum of 20 people dancing
• up to 100 attendees at funerals
• community sport, with reduced spectators and in line with density requirements
• 75 per cent ticketed and allocated seating capacity for stadiums, indoor and outdoor events.

Restrictions put in place in the Cairns and Yarrabah local government areas following two cases will also be lifted to match those in the rest of the state.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said South-East Queensland had done well to prevent a COVID-19 crisis.

“The Indooroopilly cluster has reached 144 cases but it could have been far worse had we not taken such swift, decisive action,” Minister D’Ath said.

“Instead of introducing more drastic measures, we are able to resume community sport, allow more people at weddings and host more people at home – all because Queenslanders have responded so responsibly.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said with the easing of restrictions in those 11 local government areas there would also be an easing in the requirements for wearing masks.

“While you no longer have to wear a mask at all times, you are still required to carry one with you when you leave home,” Dr Young said.

“You must wear it indoors – places like shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets, hospitals and aged care facilities – or if you are outside and unable to physically distance.

“Face masks have played a big part in our ability to contain the latest clusters. A mask is a simple weapon against a complex virus.

“That’s why for an extra week from this Friday, school students will also be required to continue wearing masks in a classroom setting.”

 
Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008