Queensland restriction changes: All the new rules to be eased early

Queenslanders will enjoy eased restrictions earlier than expected this week including a crucial change to mask requirements in offices. Here’s everything that changes.

Queenslanders will get a reprieve from having to wear masks while sitting at their desks in the office after the state government revealed its planned easing of Covid restrictions now the Indooroopilly cluster is under control.

The mask mandate will remain in southeast Queensland for another week but will be toned down.

The key easing will be that it is no longer required to wear a mask indoors when you can socially distance, as outlined on the state government’s Covid restriction road map.

The past fortnight’s tough mask restrictions requiring office workers to wear masks while at their desks - even when social distancing - led to the Brisbane CBD being a ghost town as office workers opted to work from home.

Under the new restrictions from 4pm Friday, all southeast Queenslanders will be required to carry a mask at all times and wear it on public transport, indoors when you cannot stay 1.5m apart, by teachers and students at high schools and when in stadiums and airports.

Masks will no longer be required outdoors, but southeast Queenslanders need to continue to carry their mask with them at all times. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

You do not need to wear a mask indoors when able to socially distance or outdoors unless you cannot stay 1.5m apart from other people who are not part of your household.

The mask changes come as further restrictions will ease across southeast Queensland two days earlier than expected after the state recorded no new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

Speaking from the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Albion, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said restrictions, which were slated to ease at 4pm on Sunday, would now ease at 4pm Friday.

From that time, in the 11 local government areas of southeast Queensland, community sport will be allowed to recommence, and up to 30 visitors will be allowed at homes and in public spaces.

Weddings and funerals will be allowed 100 attendees, with 20 people allowed to dance at weddings.

Indoor and outdoor events and stadiums can have 75 per cent ticketed and allocated seating capacity.

There will be restrictions on density at hospitality settings for another week.

The Queensland road map for easing restrictions. Photo: Supplied

“We’ll review that at the end of the week. If we can continue to get those zero cases … hopefully in a week’s time we’ll be able to stand here before you and say there can be increased capacity,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We’re asking Queenslanders to please be patient for one more week.”

Ms Palaszczuk said in order to further ease restrictions next week, the Queensland/ NSW border would needed to be further tightened, after NSW recorded 633 cases on Wednesday.

“There are too many people crossing the border,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland/ NSW border would be tightened even further to allow more restrictions to ease next week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“It takes just one person crossing the border with Delta, and we’re into a lockdown.

“I don’t want that and I know Queenslanders don’t want that. That’s why we have to have these restrictions for the southeast for the next week.”

Originally published as Queensland restriction changes: All the new rules to be eased early