Mask mandate extends out of southeast as case numbers climb

Masks are back in Queensland for a number of venues and settings across the entire state as case numbers grow at home and interstate.

Queensland’s mask mandate is back for a raft of venues and settings across the entire state amid a “dramatic escalation in cases” in New South Wales.

From 1am Saturday people will need to wear masks in retail stores, vulnerable settings like hospitals, on public transport and in rideshares regardless of whether they are vaccinated.

The announcement, which authorities said was not unexpected, came as another 20 cases were recorded in Queensland including 16 in the community.

Five cases were in Brisbane’s north, eight in Brisbane’s south, one in West Moreton, two on the Sunshine Coast, two on the Gold Coast and two in Cairns.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says wearing a mask in some places is a small price to pay. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

There are now five Omicron cases in Queensland – however none are seriously ill.

As Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ruled out any lockdowns over the Christmas period, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “we can’t go back to lockdowns, we all know that”.

The Premier said the mask mandate was necessary in light of the border being open to NSW.

“We know with the borders reopening we are going to see cases in Queensland,” she said.

Masks will not need to be worn outside or in workplaces and vaccinated people are not required to wear them in cafes, restaurants or cinemas, however it is strongly recommended.

They will remain mandated in airports and on planes.

“This is a small price to pay for your freedoms,” the Premier said.

But National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb said the mandate could “derail the spending” forecast over the Christmas period.

“Whenever a hygiene protocol is put in place it does act as a deterrent for shoppers,” she said.

“We’re 10 days out from Christmas, something like this can derail the spending.”

Ms Lamb urged shoppers to remember their masks.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said while Queenslanders weren’t required to carry a mask at all times, it was strongly encouraged.

“We know masks are easy to wear and they make a difference,” she said.

Acknowledging the mandate would be new for a number of places outside the southeast, the Minister said many outbreaks had been avoided because of them.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath at Joedy's cafe at New Farm for a Covid update. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

It will be reviewed when the state hits 90 per cent double dose.

The Prime Minister said the nation, and four states and territories, had exceeded 90 per cent double-dose vaccination and urged premiers against further lockdowns.

“Right from the start of this pandemic, we have always sought to balance saving lives and saving livelihoods and we always must protect lives and livelihoods,” he said.

“We are in a different phase of the pandemic.”

Mr Morrison said daily case numbers should no longer be the metric to determine the seriousness of an outbreak, instead pointing to hospitalisations and serious cases.

“90 per cent of our adult population is double-dose vaccinated, that more than a million Australians have had their booster shots and that number is growing every day,” he said.

Meanwhile chief health officer John Gerrard said he was not considering shutting out Sydney or other places with high case numbers.