What about my Queensland Easter holiday? Everything you need to know about the new rules as Brisbane’s lockdown ends – and what it means for your getaway
Queensland has lifted Greater Brisbane’s three-day lockdown in time for Easter but a host of new restrictions have thrown holiday plans into chaos.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown would be lifted from midday on Thursday, as thousands of holidaymakers prepare to spend the long weekend in the Sunshine State.
Face masks will be mandatory across the state in indoor settings like shopping centres, supermarkets, workplaces and on public transport until April 15.
Home gatherings will be restricted to 30, dancing will be banned in public venues and customers will be forced to stay seated when dining out.
‘We are expecting a very good Easter. We’re lifting that Greater Brisbane as being a hotspot and I’m asking all other leaders across the country to consider doing the same as well,’ the premier said.
‘But if you are coming to Queensland, you’ll have to abide by these restrictions in terms of mask-wearing, just as the same as everybody else.
‘And really when you think about it, it’s a small thing to do, but it means that we can go out, support our businesses, support our tourism industry, and spend time with our loved ones which is, you know, a really special time of the year.’
While Queensland remains open to visitors, other states have imposed their own rules for prospective domestic travellers.
South Australia has declared the Greater Brisbane area a coronavirus hotspot, preventing people travelling from the region unless they are a returning resident or someone relocating permanently.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier urged people in her state to cancel any Easter holidays to Queensland, warning they could get trapped there if a lockdown is imposed.
A pedestrian is pictured walking through the Brisbane CBD wearing a mask on Tuesday as the city endured a three-day lockdown to stop the spread of the highly-contagious UK strain of the virus
Ms Berejiklian on Tuesday said the state’s borders were still open but ‘if cases are identified in NSW, we will have to respond. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that’.
Greater Brisbane was identified as a red zone under Victoria’s travel permit system on Wednesday evening.
‘Victorian residents in a red zone can apply for a ‘red zone’ permit to return home,’ the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said.
‘From the day you enter Victoria, you must return straight home and self-quarantine for 14 days.’
Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales are currently orange zones.
Victorian residents in an orange zone can apply for an ‘orange zone’ permit to return home and they must isolate, get a coronavirus test within 72 hours of returning, and stay isolated until a negative result is received.
More to come