Southeast Qld mask mandate expected to continue for another week

People in southeast Queensland are expected to face another week of wearing masks with Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young expressing concern about the number of Covid ‘incursions’ into the state.

Southeast Queenslanders will likely face another week wearing masks, with Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young “very concerned” about “repeated incursions” of the virus into the state.

A mask mandate introduced at the start of the month has been extended twice and a decision on lifting it is expected on Friday.

Dr Young said on Wednesday that the requirement to wear masks was being reviewed but also voiced serious concern about continuing transmissions.

People wearing masks in Brisbane’s CBD this week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

She said the case of a Western Australian man who flew into Brisbane from the Philippines and came down with Covid after leaving hotel quarantine – before checking into a Brisbane backpacker hostel and moving about the community for several days – was the 13th incursion of the virus in Queensland in six weeks.

“I think this is escalating now,” she said.

“I am very concerned about it.”

Dr Young said it was why had ordered all Queensland state and federal MPs who had not been vaccinated to jump the queue and get vaccinated urgently to reduce the risk of them bringing Covid back into their communities.

She said masks were “critical” in helping stop the spread of the virus.

“We know they make a difference and I’m sure they’ve played a role in why we’ve not had widespread community transmissions from any of these 13 incursions of the virus,” she said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says masks are critical in helping to stop the spread of Covid-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

While the majority of Queenslanders have been doing the right thing, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate this week slammed dozens of people photographed by The Courier-Mail not wearing masks at busy Burleigh Heads.

“I’ve got one word: arrogance,” he said.

“What disappoints me is the complete disregard for their own health, their family’s health and (that of) the wider community.”

A $206 fine is in force for failing to wear a mask but police have issued few infringement notices, opting instead to hand out masks to people not wearing them.

Originally published as Southeast Qld mask mandate expected to continue for another week