Police warn residents to behave as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Police are warning residents to be on their best behaviour this weekend as COVID-19 restrictions ease. SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WEEKEND >>>

Health workers testing people at Townsville’s drive through clinic. More restrictions will ease from 11.59pm Friday.

Police are warning residents to be on their best behaviour this weekend as COVID-19 restrictions ease to allow dining at restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Townsville District Disaster Co-ordinator Acting Chief Superintendent Glen Pointing said police would be patrolling popular areas to ensure people were adhering to social distancing rules once some regulations lifted from 11.59pm tonight.

North Queenslanders will be allowed to gather in a group of 10 people, dine in at some restaurants, get their nails done and take the children to playgrounds, among plenty of other new measures.

Townsville remains free of COVID-19 as restrictions ease this weekend.

From Saturday 16 May, Stage 1 will allow for:

• gatherings in homes (max five visitors, allowed from separate households)
• gatherings of a maximum of 10 people together in a public space
• dining in at restaurants, pubs, clubs, RSLs and cafes for a maximum of 10 patrons at one time as part of a gradual reopening (no bars or gaming)
• recreational travel of a radius of up to 150km from your home for day trips
• some beauty therapies and nail salons for up to 10 people at one time
• reopening of libraries, playground equipment, skate parks and outdoor gyms (maximum of 10)
• wedding guests increased to 10 people and funeral attendance increased to 20 (30 outdoors)
• open homes and auctions with a maximum of 10 people at one time
• reopening public pools and lagoons (eg South Bank, Cairns, Airlie Beach) with a maximum of 10 people at a time or greater numbers with an approved plan
• for Outback Queensland, where there have been no COVID cases, two special concessions have been made:
• dining in at pubs and cafes will be up to 20 for locals only, reflecting the important role these venues play in connecting small outback communities; and
• recreational travel of a radius of up to 500 kilometres reflecting the long distances in the Outback.

Residents will also be allowed to travel up to 150km from their home for a day trip.

Act Chief Supt Pointing said police will warn residents at first instance, but would not hesitate to enforce the law if necessary.

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• Where you can daytrip within 150km of Townsville this weekend

Police have dished out 101 fines in the Townsville District for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s direction.

Four people were fined on Thursday night for moving the barrier from the road at Castle Hill and driving to the top.

Act Chief Supt Pointing said people have also been punished for having parties.

“If they don’t comply, well they may be liable to get a ticket but generally speaking most people comply once spoken to,” he said.

Police thanked residents for their patience and efforts to ensure Townsville remained coronavirus-free.

Originally published as Police warn residents to behave as COVID-19 restrictions ease