Overview
The past few weeks have taken folks in the Greater Brisbane area on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. The past 13 months have, too, but Brisbanites have just been through a snap three-day lockdown right before Easter, and lived with increased restrictions over the past few weeks. But, come Thursday, April 15, a heap of current rules and caps will ease.
When the region came out of lockdown a fortnight ago, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk foreshadowed that the new restrictions would be in place for two weeks; however, as the stay-at-home conditions did, the current rules will now be easing a little early. Instead of lifting at midday on April 15, they'll stop at 6am.
Accordingly, you'll be able to do a number of things that've been off limits recently — including having up to 100 people over to your house, which is an increase from 30. And, you'll be able to gather outside without any restrictions, although music festivals will have to have a COVID-19-safe plan in place.
Stadiums, theatres and cinemas are going back to 100-percent capacity as well, so expect to have plenty of company next time you see a movie, a gig, a show or the footy. That specifically applies to ticketed venues. Visitors can see loved ones at hospitals, and aged and disability care facilities again, too.
Also returning: standing up to eat and drink in bars, pubs and clubs, something we didn't know we'd ever miss until we weren't allowed to do it. And, dancing is back, both indoors and outdoors — and at venues and weddings alike. Before 2020 hit, who knew that being permitted to make shapes would be news?
Mask rules are changing as well, with covering your face no longer required unless you're at an airport or you're flying. The Queensland Government still advises that folks should carry a mask with them, though, to use in crowded places when you're not able to social distance.
The new eased rules will apply statewide, and the usual requests regarding social distancing, hygiene and getting tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms still apply — as they have since March last year.
Announcing the news today, Wednesday, April 14, Premier Palaszczuk said that "it has not been easy over these past two weeks" but the easing of restrictions could be brought forward based upon the government's health advice and the lack of recent community transmission following the most recent outbreak.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.