Queensland Is Dropping Venue Capacity Restrictions When the State Hits 80-Percent Double Jabs

Overview

Restrictions on how many people can attend restaurants, entertainment sites and other venues have been a regular part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, but they're about to become a thing of the past in Queensland. When the state reaches the 80-percent double-vaccinated mark, venue caps and density rules will no longer apply — because all of these places will only be welcoming in double-jabbed patrons.

If you've already rolled up your sleeves twice by the time that 80-percent threshold is hit — which is expected around Friday, December 17 — you'll be able to head to all hospitality and entertainment venues, as well as stadiums, festivals, libraries, galleries and museums, all without needing to abide by any other density or patron restrictions. If you aren't double-vaxxed by then, however, you won't be able to go to any of these places at all.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the change today, Tuesday, November 9, in her second big piece of COVID-19 news for the day — after revealing that wearing masks indoors will be ditched at the 80-percent single-vaxxed mark, which should be reached either today or tomorrow.

The new double-jabbed-only rule could kick in earlier than December 17 if the 80-percent double-vaccinated threshold is reached before then, too. The Premier noted in a statement that it'll "take effect from December 17 or once the state reaches 80 percent of eligible Queenslanders fully vaccinated, whichever comes first". It'll also affect everyone 16 years of age and older.

Here's where it'll apply: at hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes; at entertainment venues including cinemas, live music and karaoke; at both indoor and outdoor music festivals; and at government-owned galleries, museums and libraries. It'll also be in effect at all Queensland government stadiums — such as Suncorp, The Gabba, Queensland Country Bank and Metricon, and covering Big Bash, T20, One Day Internationals, NRL, AFL, State of Origin and concerts — as well as at weddings.

And, it'll apply at hospitals, disability services, aged care and prisons as well, except in end of life, childbirth or emergency circumstances.

There is another requirement for venues, however, with all staff needing to be double-vaccinated as well. Performers need to be double-jabbed at music festivals, too.

The change will kick in at the same time that Queensland will let double-jabbed interstate travellers arrive by either road or air and, if they've received a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before arriving, ditch quarantine as well.

And yes, it looks like this summer in Queensland is going to be mighty bright. This is the Sunshine State, after all.

For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.

Top image: Somefx.