What Queensland’s vaccination freedoms mean for you

Businesses will have to dob on uncooperative patrons who haven’t had a jab, or won’t produce evidence, as Queensland prepares to reopen fully on December 17. See what it means for you >>

GOLD Coast businesses will be asked to call police on uncooperative unvaccinated patrons trying to enter venues.

Unvaccinated people will be banned from most venues from December 17, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed on Tuesday.

That is when Queensland is forecast to reach 80 per cent double jabbed and will reopen its border to vaccinated interstate arrivals without quarantine.

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It comes as police said they would not intercep every vehicle when restrictions lifted.

Ms Palaszczuk said there would be no restrictions at pubs, cafes, cinemas, stadiums or shopping centres so long as staff and patrons were vaccinated from December 17.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said officers would manage compliance at venues and patrons not following rules would be fined.

“We don’t expect venues to act as the police. That is our role. We do expect venues to display the vaccination rules, ask for the evidence of vaccination and if there is no evidence they can obviously ask that person to leave.

“If they refuse to leave, to call the police,” she said.

Ms Carroll said “bad behaviour” would “not be tolerated” and those who flout the rules could cop a $1378 infringement notice.

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“I ask we please respect the staff at venues and businesses and, as I said, if there’s noncompliance, police will be called in and enforcement action will be taken,” she said.

Patrons will be able to show vaccination status on Queensland’s check-in app. People will be able to register their status later this month.

Ms Carroll said police and the Office of Liquor and Gaming had conducted extensive checks of businesses throughout the pandemic and managing vaccine compliance would be an “extension of that”.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll speaks during a press conference at the Gabba to provide a Covid update. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there would be an “evolving approach” to border enforcement depending on risk at the time.

“It’s really about us being able to identify those that pose the most risk to our community,” he said.

“As we go forward, they will be the people that aren’t double vaccinated or haven’t had a negative test.

“The vast majority of people that are coming across are going to be able to prove that they’ve been vaccinated, double vaccinated and have had their test and they’ll be able to come through.”

He said not everyone would be intercepted after the double jab date, and revealed police were automating the border pass system.

“You will see this evolve, but what people can expect is that there will be a presence at our borders,” he said.

BREAKING: Fully vaccinated Queenslanders will be rewarded to keep our freedoms from 17 December or when we reach the 80% double dosed milestone. #covid19pic.twitter.com/WICAlLvxl0

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) November 9, 2021

Only people who are fully vaccinated in Queensland will be allowed in:

* Hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes.

* Queensland government stadiums.

* Entertainment venues including live music and karaoke bars.

* Indoor and outdoor music festivals.

* Government-owned galleries, museums and libraries.

* Aged care, hospitals, prisons and disabilitiy services except in end of life, childbirth or emergencies.

For the unvaccinated:

* Vulnerable settings such as aged care, hospitals, prisons and disability services must not allow unvaccinated visitors. Unvaccinated visitors can visit for the purposes of end of life, childbirth or an emergency situation.

* Hospitality venues and indoor entertainment venues: Only vaccinated staff and patrons are permitted to enter. In circumstances where there is private hire with unvaccinated individuals density limits apply.

* Outdoor entertainment activities: Only vaccinated staff and patrons permitted to enter.

* Festivals; music, arts, folk etc: Only vaccinated staff and patrons permitted to enter including performers, crew, catering and food trucks.

* Weddings: Unvaccinated people can attend, but only if there is a maximum of 20 people in attendance.

* Other settings; essential retail, other eretail, public transport etc: Covid-19 density restrictions may still apply.

Originally published as What Queensland’s vaccination freedoms mean for you