Masks to stay as more restrictions ease at 4pm

More restrictions will ease in Queensland from 4pm today, but the mask mandate will stay in place. The news comes after no new community cases were recorded in the state, while NSW appears to have softened its stance on moving the border bubble.

More restrictions will ease in Queensland from 4pm today, but the mask mandate will stay in place.

Queensland recorded no new community acquired COVID cases in the past 24 hours and one new case in hotel quarantine.

Speaking at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane on Friday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that restrictions are set to be eased across the South East.

Up to 100 people will be allowed to gather at homes, and 200 people will be allowed at weddings and funerals, while restaurants will be able to cater to one person per 2qsm. Dancing is also back.

The restrictions will ease from 4pm this afternoon.

But masks will continue to be a requirement when in indoor environments.

“These masks are a protection for us,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We want to make sure we’re protecting everybody and doing the right thing.”

BREAKING: The Premier is providing an update on South East Queensland restrictions. #covid19https://t.co/KRzJvPuIxb

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 27, 2021

“It’s now been around 20 days since we have had a case active in the community,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Dancing is back, cafes, pubs, restaurants and clubs can double their capacity.

“Queensland, these masks are still going to be really, really important.”

“We will review these mask requirements every two weeks... we want to make sure we are protecting everybody and are doing the right thing.”

The Premier confirmed that the government would review the mask requirements every two weeks.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said it was important the mask restrictions remained due to the ongoing situation in NSW.

“Just wear a mask where you can’t socially distance, particularly indoors,” Dr Young said.

NSW today recorded 882 new Covid cases and two more deaths.

Meanwhile, in a sensational COVID lockdown development, NSW appears to have “softened” its stance on moving the Tweed border south to ease the health and business crisis caused by lockdown.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in correspondence with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously stood firm and refused a request to move checkpoints south of the Tweed River.

But political sources suggest there is a change of heart and a review will be conducted to best determine how to help border communities.

“NSW has softened its border stance. The river will be an option for discussions,” a Queensland political source told The Gold Coast Bulletin.

It is believed that high-ranking NSW Government officials have contacted the Queensland Government on Friday indicating NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro was keen to start negotiations about shifting the border south.

Ms Palaszczuk reiterated this morning that Queensland was pushing for the border to be extended to take in the Tweed area.

“I think there are people in the Tweed who don’t think we put that forward, we put that forward and it was rejected,” she said.

“These are communities that are so intertwined... and let’s see what happens over the next two weeks as well as in regional NSW.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane, where she has announced the further reduction of restrictions. Picture: David Clarke

Despite the ongoing concerns about cases from NSW spilling over into Queensland, Dr Young said she was very, very comfortable that she would be able to take up her new position as Governor on November 1, because of her ‘lovely’ team.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said 185 vehicles were refused entry into Queensland overnight, while the amount of domestic people in hotel quarantine dropped from 300 to 113.

Twelve people entered against the CHO’s directive and without a border pass, while police are expecting more border protests this weekend

“Per person that can be close to $9000 if you are not doing the right thing,” Ms Carroll said.

“As a result (of the protests) we will be putting resources on the weekend to the border, if there are protests, which we are expecting.”

“There will be high visibility of police on the borders this weekend.”

The Premier yesterday announced that the state government would go ahead with building a controversial quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, going against the government’s own advice on the facility.

Ms Palaszczuk told media this morning that the Deputy Premier had contacted Toowoomba’s Mayor yesterday before the announcement - despite the mayor saying she had been blindsided by the news.

Ms Palaszczuk said she has not contacted airlines yet about the quarantine facility.

“There was one that took off when we were there (Wellcamp) yesterday, it is an international airport, it is a state-of-the-art airport.”

“We are getting on with it, we are building it.”

The premier said she isn’t worried about how the facility will be used in the future.

“Are you concerned about Howard Springs? I’m not concerned about Howard Springs nor am I about Wellcamp,” she said.