COVID-19 Gold Coast: School closures, do you have to wear face mask, COVID cases, testing

The Gold Coast has avoided a three-day lockdown imposed on Greater Brisbane, but there are still some new rules, and some events have been called off. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Gold Coast has avoided a three-day lockdown imposed on Greater Brisbane, but a fresh positive case of COVID-19 in the community has the city on high alert.

While restrictions are not as severe as in the lockdown area, there has still been an impact.

Here’s what you need to know.

MASKS

In all areas of Queensland, including the Gold Coast, you must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as:

* shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and indoor markets

* hospitals and aged care facilities

* churches and places of worship

Queensland Health recommends you wear a mask when outdoors if you are unable to stay more than 1.5m distance from other people, such as at busy walkways and thoroughfares.

There are exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:

* children under 12

* a person eating, drinking or taking medicine

* where visibility of the mouth is essential

SCHOOLS

The majority of schools remain open on the Gold Coast and will continue to operate as normal until breaking up for the Easter holidays on Thursday. However most have advised planned extra-curricular activities such as sports carnivals have been postponed. Some northern Gold Coast schools have also advised parents that their staff numbers have been affected, and classes may not proceed as normal as a result, although in most cases children can still attend. Parents are advised to check with their school for details.

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All beaches remain open on the Gold Coast. Picture: Brendan Radke.

BEACHES

All Gold Coast beaches remain open.

THEME PARKS

All Gold Coast theme parks including Movie World, Dreamworld and Sea World remain open and are operating as normal and are taking advice from the Queensland Government.

AGED CARE

Visitors are restricted to residential aged care facilities within the State of Queensland.

Visitors: No personal visitors – including care and support visitors – are allowed to enter

Only people providing an essential purpose will be allowed to enter.

End of life visits will still be allowed.

Anyone entering a facility must wear a single use surgical face mask.

Residents: May only leave the facility to receive health care, attend a funeral or for an emergency or compassionate reason.

Shoppers wear masks at Coles Q Super Centre, Mermaid Waters, on Thursday. Picture: Jerad Williams.

SHOPPING CENTRES

Gold Coast shopping centres remain open.

On its website, Westfield has encouraged customers to follow the one person per two square metre rule while in centre and follow the health advice of authorities.

“If you have COVID-19 symptoms no matter how mild, health advice is that you should be tested. You should not visit a Westfield centre if you are feeling unwell,” its website says.

“We will continue to follow government and health advice as we have done throughout the pandemic. Customers are reminded to follow COVID-safe protocols when visiting.”

MOVEMENT AND GATHERINGS

You can have a maximum of 30 people in your home, including those who live with you. A maximum of 500 people may gather in public outdoor spaces.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Retail food services, entertainment venues and high risk businesses must only open for seated eating and drinking, takeaway and delivery. There is no standing or dancing allowed in the venue.

Social distancing and mask wearing in the Broadbeach Mall on Thursday. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

BLUESFEST

Bluesfest 2021 is set to proceed this Easter Long Weekend. Based on advice from NSW Health, organisers are not allowing ticket holders affected by the three-day Queensland lockdown to attend the first day of the festival – Thursday April 1. Organisers are continuing to monitor the situation.

EVENTS CALLED OFF SO FAR

* The Southport School formal

* Football Gold Coast has postponed all scheduled fixtures, while all FFA Cup fixtures scheduled for Thursday the 31st of March have been rescheduled for a later date which will be confirmed.

* Battle of The Buskers final on Thursday April 1.

* VODKASODA& launch party at The YOT Club on Thursday.

EVENTS GOING AHEAD

* Kerry O’Brien In Conversation with Grace Tame at HOTA. A HOTA spokeswoman said the event is going ahead as planned with COVID-safe measures that were put in place after Monday’s government announcement. “Anyone who is impacted by Government directives is asked not to attend and will be eligible for a refund,” she said.

Home of the Arts is closely monitoring the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Greater Brisbane and following Government advice regarding social distancing and mandatory masks.

* Good Friday Seafood Marketta

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