Face Masks Will Be Mandatory Again in Southeast Queensland for the Next Two Weeks
Within 11 Local Government Areas within southeast Queensland, you'll need to mask up in all indoor spaces outside of your own home.
With new locally acquired COVID-19 cases identified in southeast Queensland over the past week — including two new local COVID-19 cases announced today, Monday, June 28 — wearing masks will become mandatory again in parts of the state. From 1am on Tuesday, June 29, covering up will be compulsory indoors in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Local Government Areas for at least the next two weeks.
So, if you're spending any time inside — other than in your own house — you'll be masking up. That means you'll need to cover up in places such as shopping centres, public transport, hospitals, aged care facilities and churches. And, you'll need to mask up in workplaces where you can't maintain physical distancing.
You'll also need to always carry a mask with you when you aren't at home as well.
The mask mandate is being implemented in tandem with new restrictions in the same areas, with caps on at-home gatherings and patrons in hospitality venues being tightened again — for the second time in two days.
Announcing the changes today, Monday, June 28, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that "there's a lot of things happening across the nation at the moment, and there's some things that are happening in Queensland. We've got to act very quickly." At the moment, compulsory mask-wearing will only be in effect in the 11 specified LGAs; however, "if we see any further spread in other parts of the state, the mask mandate will come into other parts of the state as well," the Premier said.
Two new local COVID-19 cases were identified in Queensland in the past 24 hours, including one with the more contagious Delta variant. That's why restrictions are being tightened and masks introduced, the Premier noted. Yesterday, three community acquired cases were reported, covering both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
As always, Queenslanders are asked to keep social distancing, and maintaining the hygiene practices that have been in place since March 2020. You're also requested to keep checking the state's list of exposure sites — and to get tested if you're feeling even the slightest possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Face masks will be mandatory in the Greater Brisbane area from 1am on Tuesday, June 29. 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.
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