Queensland businesses face temporary restrictions after snap lockdown

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the three-day greater Brisbane lockdown had proven successful in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Queensland.

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this mighty team effort,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I particularly want to thank businesses and their staff who have all made sacrifices to make this lockdown so effective.

“I know we’re all looking forward to Easter; however, it is still so important that all Queenslanders continue doing the right thing and adhering to the remaining restrictions.”

Queensland’s remaining restrictions

From noon on Thursday, 1 April, to noon on Thursday, 15 April 2021, all individuals will be required to adhere to the following restrictions:

1. Individuals must carry a face mask at all times when they leave home, unless they have a lawful reason not to. They must wear a mask in all indoor spaces, such as:

• shopping centres and supermarkets;
• hospitality venues (e.g. clubs, pubs etc);
• hospitals and aged care facilities;
• indoor workplaces (where safe to wear a mask and you can’t physically distance);
• public transport, taxis and rideshare, and waiting places or queues for this transport; and
• airports and travelling on planes.

Masks do not need to be worn in some circumstances, including children under 12 years, where people have certain medical conditions and in workplaces where it is not safe to do so. Masks do not need to be worn indoors when strenuously exercising unless you cannot socially distance.

2. Businesses will need to adhere to the one person per two square metres rule;
3. Restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs are able to open for indoor eating and drinking while seated, and outdoor eating and drinking while standing. Outdoor dancing is permitted;
4. Gatherings will be restricted to 30 people in homes. Up to 500 people can gather outside in public spaces;
5. Outdoor events with more than 500 people can proceed with a COVID-Safe plan. Masks must be worn if social distancing is not possible;
6. Restrictions on aged care, hospitals, disability care and correctional facilities will apply, with no personal visitors allowed during this period except for end-of-life visits; and
7. Church services will be allowed 100 per cent occupancy with ticketed and allocated seating or they must adhere to the one person per two square metres rule.

Check In Qld app made mandatory

The Queensland government also announced its COVID-Safe check-in app will be mandated for most hospitality businesses across Queensland from 1 May to assist with contact tracing efforts.

Hospitality businesses can complete registration by following the steps via the Check In Qld app webpage.

Each Check In Qld QR code is assigned to a physical address, so businesses with multiple locations will require a separate registration and QR code for each location.

Data collected via Check In Qld is stored securely for 56 days and is only accessed for contact tracing purposes.