Overview
After eight days in lockdown again in a bid to stop another COVID-19 outbreak — including an initial three-day snap lockdown, and then an extra five days to keep cases under control — southeast Queensland emerged from stay-at-home conditions at 4pm on Sunday, August 8.
Gone are the four reasons to leave your home, as well as the travel radius — which means that you can now head out of the house whenever you like, for whatever reason you like and to go almost anywhere you like. Still, new restrictions are in place until at least 4pm on Sunday, August 22, and the list of rules can be a bit overwhelming. To help, we've broken down just what you can and can't do.
This information is correct as of Monday, August 9.
For what reasons am I allowed to leave the house?
Remember those four reasons announced at the end of July? They're no longer in effect. So, after eight days of only being able to leave home to purchase groceries and other essentials, for care and caregiving (including getting vaccinated), for permitted work, for outdoor exercise and recreation, you can now leave for any reason you like.
For how long can I leave the house?
There's no time limit on leaving the house, as long as you're abiding by all other restriction.
Is there a curfew?
No, there is no curfew. You are allowed out of your house at any hour — and for any reason and for as much time as you like, too.
Do I still have to wear a mask?
Yes, masks are still compulsory whenever you leave home. Masks must still be worn both indoors and outside whenever you're anywhere other than your own home.
You can only ditch your mask if you're alone in your car or with members of your household, you're alone outdoors or with folks you live with, if you're eating or drinking, if you're doing strenuous exercise, or if it is unsafe to do so.
And, you must always carry a mask with you, too.
How far can I travel?
You can travel within the 11 Local Government Areas that were in lockdown as much and as far as you like — so in the Brisbane City Council, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim LGAs.
But, residents of these areas are asked to avoid travelling to regional Queensland for the next fortnight.
And if you wanted to travel interstate, border rules in other parts of Australia may hamper your trip — check the relevant state for details.
Can I see friends and family?
Yes, but there are a few caveats. You can catch up with up to ten people both inside and outside of your home — but if you're doing so at home, that number includes the people who live in your house.
Outside, you can exercise in groups of up to ten, have a picnic — socially distanced, of course — or do whatever else you like.
Can I have a session with a personal trainer in a park?
Yes, groups of ten are allowed to meet up for personal training and bootcamp sessions.
Can I have a picnic in a park?
Yes, as long as it's with up to ten people (including yourself). Also, it'll need to be within the 11 LGAs that are under restrictions. Here are some of our favourite spots.
Can I go to the beach?
Yes, but you can only go with up to ten people (including yourself) — and as long as it is within the 11 LGAs that are under restrictions.
Can I drive to a park or beach?
You most certainly can, as long as it is within the 11 LGAs that are under restrictions.
Can I visit a regional town?
Residents of the 11 LGAs that have just come out of lockdown are asked to avoid travelling to regional Queensland for the next fortnight.
You can travel within the 11 LGAs that were in lockdown as much and as far as you like, however.
Can I go shopping?
For any reason, yes. But some shops may still have altered hours, so check before you head off. And, capacity and density restrictions have been put in place. The one person per-four-square-metres rule is in effect inside, and the one person per-two-square-metres outside.
How about to a restaurant or cafe?
Yes, you can head to a hospitality venue, but capacity and density restrictions are in effect. The one person per-four-square-metres rule applies inside, and the one person per-two-square-metres outside — but smaller venues up to 200 square metres can have one person per-two-square-metres overall, up to a maximum of 50 people.
Also, you must be seated to eat and drink — so vertical consumption isn't allowed.
Can I dance?
At a bar, club or other venue? No. Dancing is not permitted under the current restrictions, either inside or outside — except at weddings (see below).
Can I go to gyms or other recreational services?
Yes. But like at retail and hospitality venues, capacity and density restrictions apply — so the one person per-four-square-metres rule is in effect inside, and the one person per-two-square-metres outside.
How about a movie?
Yes, indoor seated venues such as cinemas can reopen. Again, capacity and density restrictions are in effect. So, the one person per-four-square-metres rule applies — but, where there's ticketed and allocated seating (which is all cinemas, generally), venues can fill to 50-percent capacity.
Can I play sport?
Community sport is not permitted to go ahead under the current restrictions. That includes organised sport of any description — including community, club and recreational sport.
Professional sport is allowed to go ahead, however, under COVID Safe Professional Sport Plans.
Can I attend a funeral?
Yes, however funerals are limited to 20 mourners, plus the people conducting the service.
Can I attend a wedding?
Yes, however weddings are limited to 20 people, including the celebrant and two witnesses. Dancing is also permitted at weddings, but nowhere else.
Eleven LGAs in the Greater Brisbane area came out of lockdown at 4pm on Sunday, August 8. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website. More details about restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.
Top image: Brisbane City Council, Flickr.