Covid Qld: Mask, vaccination mandates set to be scrapped

As Omicron cases continue to fall, a review is being undertaken into whether Queenslanders need to continue wearing masks indoors or require vaccination for entry to venues.

Face mask and vaccination mandates could be removed within weeks as Covid-19 case numbers continue to fall across Queensland.

Authorities say that with the Omicron wave now past its peak, a review is under way into whether Queenslanders can stop wearing masks indoors.

The review will also consider whether unvaccinated Queenslanders should continue to be banned from hospitality venues and non-essential businesses.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said all restrictions were under review, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

“All of them are currently under review given that this Omicron wave is coming to an end,” he said.

Queensland recorded 5286 new Covid-19 cases yesterday and a further 10 deaths.

Dr Gerrard said of the 10 deaths – three in their 60s, three in their 70s, one in their 80s and three in their 90s – none was in aged care.

There are 462 patients in public hospitals and 35 in intensive care, with 16 requiring ventilation.

Dr Gerrard predicted the number of admissions to hospital would continue to fall, and any removal of restrictions would only be done if they could be quickly reintroduced.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk watches Chief Health Officer John Gerrard speak yesterday. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

“If some of these restrictions were to be withdrawn … such as masks then that would be purely on the understanding that if there was a resurgence of infection then masks will be reintroduced, say if that would happen in the winter,” he said.

“We’ll still see cases, the virus isn’t going to go away – we’re still going to see transmission of the virus heading into winter.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed she would take the advice of Dr Gerrard before making an announcement about the future of restrictions and said the low number of cases and hospitalisations was encouraging.

“It has been a lot better than we were anticipating and let me say, not as many sleepless nights as was during the start of this wave when we saw the expectation of those really high numbers,” she said.

“Coming off the wave is absolutely good news.”

Dr Gerrard said there were 1587 schoolchildren aged from five to 17 who had Covid-19, up from 963 yesterday.

He said a seven day rolling average would provide a more comprehensive indication of cases in school-aged children.

Queensland’s vaccination rate yesterday reached 92.37 per cent single-dose and 90.33 per cent double-dose.

Originally published as Covid Qld: Mask, vaccination mandates set to be scrapped