The Premier has announced further easing of the COVID-19 restrictions, allowing Queenslanders to take unlimited travel throughout the State.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the easing came well in time for the next school holidays and would significantly kick-start the tourism industry.
She said Queensland’s outstanding response to the COVID-19 pandemic had allowed the travel restrictions to be lifted ahead of a planned move to Stage Two of easing, originally scheduled for 12 June.
She said there would also be a further easing of restrictions at pubs, cafes and restaurants.
“This will go a long way toward giving our critical tourism industry a welcome boost after adhering to the necessary restrictions we were forced to impose and I encourage Queenslanders to take advantage of the easing of rules around intrastate travel,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The easing of restrictions does not apply to biosecurity or restricted zones for Indigenous communities which will remain in place subject to a review in consultation with community members.”
Minister for Health, Steven Miles said restaurants, cafes and pubs that continued to operate under a COVID-safe checklist were now permitted to increase the total number of patrons from 10 to 20.
“However, every venue must continue to adhere to strict social distancing rules including limiting each patron to an area of four square metres and adhere to hygiene protocols,” Mr Miles said.
“It will be a different experience — you will need to be seated and be served by a waiter to order your drinks. Crowds standing at the bar do not support social distancing.”
He said the same restrictions would apply to gyms and other health clubs, parks, museums and art galleries, in churches and places of worship and other public facilities such as libraries.
“In relation to community sporting events where clubs have more than one field, limits of 20 spectators per field will apply,” Mr Miles said.
