Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk provides update on COVID-19 cases in Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a minor easing of coronavirus restrictions that will allow Queenslanders to leave their homes for recreation.

QUEENSLANDERS will be allowed to go on picnics, bushwalks, go shopping more freely and take a leisurely drive or go boating from next weekend.

Three new cases of coronavirus were recorded overnight, taking the state’s total to 1030 cases. There have been 98,000 tests conducted.

One of the new cases in the past 24 hours was locally acquired in north Brisbane with health authorities still attempting to determine the source.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions today, saying Queensland’s low rates of infection were allowing the changes.

Heat maps reveal Qld regions hardest hit by coronavirus

Peter Dutton says unions dominating Annastacia Palaszczuk’s thinking on schools

As working parents juggle home schooling, the Prime Minister wants kids back in class

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with the latest coronavirus update. For rolling coverage watch Sky News Australia on Foxtel or visit www.skynews.com.au.

Posted by Courier Mail on Saturday, 25 April 2020

But people will have to stay in their household groups, or meet up with one person only if they are by themselves, and observe social distancing.

And they will need to stay within 50km of their home, with police checking that people are complying.

Activities permitted from Saturday, May 2 include:

- Go for a drive (within 50km of home)

- Ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation

- Have a picnic

- Visit a national park

- Shop for non-essential items

Ms Palaszczuk said numbers of new infections would be watched closely and the measures reviewed after two weeks.

“The first sign of a spike we will not hesitate to clamp back,” she said.

“This is a test-run to see what effect easing restrictions has on the containment of COVID-19.

“I encourage all Queenslanders to back this first step so that we can keep the virus away and help everyone start to get their lives back.”

‘Really good numbers’ not enough to reopen schools amid pandemic

Courier Mail subscription offer: What you get as a subscriber

Health Minister Steven Miles says the easing of restrictions is reward for the hard work done by Queenslanders.

Health Minister Steven Miles said Queensland had earned a reward for its hard work.

“We have done the right thing,” the Minister said.

“We have to keep doing it.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young supported the new measures.

“Before you couldn’t leave home unless it was for essential reasons like getting groceries or exercising or going to work and you had to stay in your suburb where possible,” Dr Young said.

“Now we are saying you can have more flexibility but remember we are still having to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

State Disaster Co-ordinator Steve Gollschewski said police will assist people to understand the new rules but will still enforce flagrant breaches.

“Police will be understanding but this isn’t an invitation for people to undo everyone’s hard work,” he said.

The Premier said she hoped easing restrictions would mean some older Queenslanders could finally leave their homes.

“They can go for a drive to Mt Coot-tha or a national park or a beach in their region but they still have to avoid crowds,” the Premier said.

“I know this isn’t returning life to normal again but we are still in the midst of a pandemic and we still have to be careful.”

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said most national parks would reopen.

The announcement includes the re-opening of summit tracks at Mount Coolum, the Glasshouse Mountains and Mt Bartle Frere.

“We will also re-open some popular day-use areas including Danbulla National Park surrounding Lake Tinaroo and Laguna Lookout at Noosa National Park as well as Queen Mary Falls at Main Range National Park,” Ms Enoch said.

“A number of popular swimming areas, barbeques and all campgrounds that are currently closed will remain closed for the safety of the public.

“For the moment, recreational areas including Bribie Island and Cooloola will remain closed to four-wheel driving, as well as the shut day-use areas on the plateau at Springbrook National Park.

“Remember there are more than 1000 National Parks and forests open or partially open in Queensland.

“Campgrounds will remain closed until the Chief Health Officer decides it’s safe to reopen and there is no fixed timeline on this at the moment.