Overview
In a bid to contain the latest coronavirus outbreak, the Queensland Government yesterday, Monday, March 29, mandated the wearing of masks across Greater Brisbane for during the region's lockdown. That spans the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands local government areas, running through until 5pm on Thursday, April 1. But if you're located elsewhere throughout the state, you'll need to mask up, too.
This is the first time that wearing a mask has been made compulsory everywhere across Queensland; however, different rules still apply in different places. While Brisbanites are currently required to don a mask everywhere except inside their own homes — which you're only allowed to leave to go to work, to shop for essentials, for exercise and for care reasons — folks elsewhere have a bit more leniency. Still, you'll always have to carry one with you.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today, Tuesday, March 30, released a roadmap outlining current restrictions across the state, which outlines mask rules beyond Greater Brisbane. Outside of the capital, they must be worn in all indoor spaces other than your home, all indoor workplaces unless it is unsafe to do so, on public transport, in taxis and ride share vehicles, and outdoors when social distancing isn't possible.
People affected by a medical condition are exempt from the mask rules, as are children under 12. And, you're also allowed to temporarily remove your mask for eating and drinking, and if it's necessary for your job.
A number of other restrictions are in place for residents outside of Greater Brisbane, which could give Brisbanites an idea of what may be in store if the lockdown does end on Thursday as planned. They include 30-person limits on at-home gatherings, including folks who live with you; 500-person caps on outside gatherings in public; no dancing at venues (yes, it's Footloose time again in Queensland); and only allowing seated service at cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
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 the lockdown, masks and associated restrictions can also be found on the Queensland Health website.