Queensland Will Further Ease Private and Public Gathering Restrictions from Midday on July 3
The state is bringing forward its third stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions — and loosening rules on house parties, venues and events.
A month after Queensland last relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions, the state will move to its next phase of post-lockdown conditions, with stage three due to come into effect a week earlier than initially expected. And if you're keen to gather in large groups — both at home and out of the house — it's welcome news. In fact, you'll be able to do so in considerable numbers from this weekend.
Today, Tuesday, June 30, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles mapped out just what's on the cards for Queenslanders when stage three hits at 12 noon on Friday, July 3, with a significant amount of changes kicking into gear. The list is lengthy, with all of the following permitted again:
- Up to 100 people in homes and non-commercial venues.
- Weddings and funerals with up to 100 people.
- Resuming all competition and contact sports, with COVID-Safe plans in place.
- Reopening indoor sports facilities, with one person per four square metres off the field of play.
- Reopening of outdoor sports facilities, with 1.5-metre social distancing off the field of play.
- Removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in museums, libraries, art galleries and historic sites — and moving to the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule.
- Removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in businesses — including shops, cafes, restaurants and bars — and moving to the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule.
- For smaller venues below 200 square metres, removing fixed caps on the number of people allowed in businesses even further — by moving to the one-person-per-two-square-metres rule, up to a maximum of 50 people.
- Allowing nightclubs, food courts, casinos and gaming venues to reopen with COVID-Safe plans in place, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for venues over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for venues under 200 square metres) rules.
- Allowing non-therapeutic massage parlours, saunas and bathhouses to reopen with COVID-Safe Plans in place, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for venues over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for venues under 200 square metres) rules.
- Allowing office workers to return to their place of work, while adhering to either the one-person-per-four-square-metres (for businesses over 200 square metres) or one-person-per-two-square-metres (for businesses under 200 square metres) rules.
- Allowing sporting venues to fill either to 50-percent capacity, or allow 25,000 spectators to attend — whichever is lesser.
- The reopening of concert venues, theatres and auditoriums with COVID-Safe Plans, either at 50-percent capacity or under the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule — whichever is greater.
- Allowing events up to 500 people without any additional approval, if following a COVID-Safe Event Checklist.
- Allowing events between 500–10,000 with an approved COVID-Safe Event Plan.
- Allowing events over 10,000 with an approved COVID-Safe Event Plan as well as approval from the Queensland Chief Health Officer.
Here's the full rundown of all stages of Queensland's eased restrictions since mid-May:
In short, that means that house parties are back on, hospitality venues can increase their capacity, concert venues can reopen and you'll be able to buy a beer at the bar. Nightclubs are also back in business, and stadium patronage will increase again as well.
In not-so-welcome news for everyone enjoying working from home, however, it also means that hitting the keyboard from your couch — and while wearing your comfy clothes — may stop being a reality.
Announcing not only the eased restrictions, but the reopening of the Queensland border to all Aussie states and territories except Victoria, Premier Palaszczuk noted that the changes — and moving forward the stage three start date — are "all due to the tremendous work of Queenslanders". As at today, Tuesday, June 30, the state only has two active coronavirus cases.
The government also advised that it will review Queensland COVID-19 transmission levels with a view to moving from the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule to the one-person-per-two-square-metres more widely — "when circumstances allow".
As always, standard social distancing and hygiene practises remain in effect — including washing your hands, cough and sneeze hygiene, staying 1.5-metres from other people, and staying home and getting tested if you're sick.
To find out more about Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions, and the status of the coronavirus in the state, visit Queensland's online COVID-19 hub.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Top image: Atlanta Bell.
