Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the winding back of restrictions that were put in place two weeks ago after the UK strain of COVID-19 was first identified within the state.
The Premier has thanked the people of greater Brisbane for their efforts in containing the spread of the highly contagious strain.
“Brisbane was Australia’s first battleground for this new strain,” the Premier said.
“A short, sharp shutdown was successful in keeping the movement of people and the virus to a minimum.
“We followed that with the mandatory use of masks in crowded places for the 14 day incubation period. The care Queenslanders have for each other is as plain as the masks we saw on thousands of faces.”
For on-premise venues, restrictions were put in place on 11 January, with a reversion to a 4sqm rule indoors and patrons to remain seated throughout their visit. Hospitality staff were also required to wear masks.
These restrictions were lifted as of 1am today, Friday 22 January. This means that on-premise venues can return to having one customer for every two square metres; weddings can have 200 guests, people can stand and drink; and dancing is once more allowed.
QHA CEO Bernie Hogan said he was pleased with the wind-back of the restrictions, while stressing that venues are still trading under limitations.
“QHA are obviously pleased that the hotel and hospitality industry can return to the pre-three-day lockdown restrictions that have proven to be successful since late last year.
“The hotel industry are eager to get back to providing the safe environments for all patrons right across the state for this weekend but remind Queenslanders that the industry is still only able to operate at limited capacity, which is reducing the pays of every hospitality worker in the state.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath thanked all Queenslanders for their efforts to curb community transmission, noting that 103,549 people had come forward for testing in the 14 days since the UK strain was first identified in the state.
“As always, we’re continuing to encourage anyone with symptoms to come forward for testing.”