Queenslanders free to go maskless as vax target reached

Queensland has reached its 80 per cent first jab target, triggering a promised relaxation of a long-hold mask mandate.

Queenslanders are no longer required to wear masks after the state officially hit its 80 per cent first dose target.

There are now 3.29m people in the Sunshine State who have had their first jab - equalling 80.1 per cent.

Just over 68.3 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

The milestone means masks are now only required on planes and in airports, while public transport commuters will need to wear them if they cannot social distance.

The 16 to 29 year old age bracket still has the lowest first dose rate equalling 63.65 per cent.

It comes after Queensland recorded three new cases of Covid-19 overnight.

One of the cases, a Gold Coast man, was infectious in the community for up to six days while the second case was located in Warwick and the third in hotel quarantine.

The Premier provided the case details during her visit to the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg as she continues the push to increase vaccination rates in the regions, but was met with hostility, forcing the daily press conference to be moved from a park to indoors at the town’s TAFE.

It comes as the vaccine mandate will be extended to the workforce at all health facilities in Queensland including private hospitals, pharmacies, GPs and physiotherapists from December 17.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath gave an update to home quarantine in Queensland that will mean thousands of people who have been in hotspots can come into Queensland from November 19.

MORE TO COME

Originally published as Queenslanders free to go maskless as vax target reached