State to scrap restrictions for fully vaxxed in major announcement
Queensland will scrap all Covid restrictions for fully-vaccinated people when the state reaches the 80 per cent double-dose milestone for people aged 16 years and over.
On Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced businesses and hospitality venues will be able to operate without Covid restrictions when the double-dose target is reached on or by December 17 at the latest.
The easing of restrictions will only apply for fully-vaccinated people and businesses and venues will only be allowed to operate at full capacity if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
Density restrictions won't apply at venues where only fully vaccinated people can attend once restrictions are eased, however, people will still be required to check in.
"This is both a reward for the fully vaccinated and a proportion for when the borders open and we will see more more cases in our community and people deserve to know that they can go to these places and that they are safe," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"So this is our next step in keeping Queenslanders safe."
Border rules are expected to change once Queensland reaches the 70 per cent double dose target, with further easing of border rules when 80 per cent is reached.
Masks to be scrapped in Queensland this week
The first reward for Queenslanders going and getting vaccinated is the scrapping of masks when the state has 80 per cent of people aged 16 and over with at least one dose. That milestone will be achieved in the next day or two, the premier said.
According to Queensland Health, 79.6 per cent of the eligible population have received one dose of vaccine. And 67.4 per cent are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Currently, there are 11 local government areas in the state's southeast where masks have to be worn when social distancing is not possible.
Masks will remain mandatory at airports and in planes, and are encouraged to be worn on public transport and where people cannot social distance in settings like shopping centres.
Ms Palaszczuk said this is "another small step back towards life as normal".
"Queenslanders have done an incredible job all through the pandemic and this is their reward. The more of us who are vaccinated, the faster we return to life the way it used to be," she said.
Unvaccinated to be excluded from new freedoms
Unvaccinated people in Queensland won't be able to partake in "non-essential leisure activities" once the 80 per cent double-dose target is met.
People who aren't fully vaccinated will be barred from hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres, cinemas and stadiums.
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Outdoor entertainment activities like as sporting events or theme parks and indoor and outdoor festivals will also be off the cards for unvaccinated people.
"These activities are not essential for people to meet their basic needs, but present a considerable risk to contributing to an outbreak in our community when our borders reopen," Queensland Health said.
People who aren't vaccinated after the easing of restrictions will be barred from hospitals, aged care and disability care facilities, except in emergency or end of life situations.
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