Mask rule to remain despite Qld lockdown ending

A raft of restrictions will remain in Brisbane, including one particularly detested one, despite the city’s lockdown ending on Saturday evening.

As millions of Queenslanders get set to exit lockdown on Saturday evening, they will still be bound by a number of restrictions.

Despite recording five new locally-acquired cases of coronavirus overnight, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the lockdown over the Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions would end at 6pm on Saturday night.

Queenslanders have been urged to remain vigilant, with a number of precautions to remain in place for both areas for at least another fortnight.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that Brisbane would exit lockdown on Saturday evening. Picture: John Gass

Until July 16, masks must be worn at all times outside the home including in workplaces and on public transport.

“The second thing that’s really important is to wear your mask,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“These masks are mandatory.

“There could be some other community cases out there, so we really need people to wear their masks.”

Police hand out free masks to the public at Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

As well, private gatherings have been limited to 30 people with caps of 100 people on weddings and funerals.

Dancing at weddings is allowed but is capped to 20 people at a time.

A deserted Queen Street Mall during Brisbane’s lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard.

A one person per four square metre rule will be in place for inside cafes and restaurants, and one person per two square metres will be allowed outside.

“We’re going back to where we were after we had done all those lockdowns earlier in the pandemic,” Queensland chief health officer Janette Young said.

“So it’s really about people being sensible.”