Queenslanders enjoy additional freedoms as the state records zero new Covid cases 

The Queensland government will ease restrictions on social distancing, hospital and aged care visits and mask-wearing in the southeast with the risk of recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Brisbane and the Gold Coast dissipating.

The state recorded zero new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 on Friday after 15,704 tests in the 24 hours to 6.30am on Friday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says restrictions implemented in the southeast last week can be eased from 4pm on Friday, almost 10 days after an outbreak began in Brisbane.

‘Because we’ve had such good news over the last week, the Chief Health Officer Dr Young has today advised that we can ease restrictions from 4pm today,’ she told reporters.

‘So what does that mean from 4pm today, that means we go back to those stage three restrictions.’

Under the new rules pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and other indoor venues can have double the density of patrons with one person per two square meters.

Up to 100 guests will be permitted in homes while visits will also again be allowed in hospitals and residential aged and disability care providers.

QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) says restrictions can be eased from 4pm Friday from advice from Chief Health Officer

Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals, and all wedding guests will be able to hit the dance floor again.

The face mask mandate will also be eased with masks only required in indoor settings where people can’t socially-distance, like supermarkets.

She said students and school teachers will also have to wear masks indoors but teachers will be allowed to remove them while addressing classes from the front of the room.

‘But if you’re feeling compromised that you can’t socially distance, that of course the onus is on you if you want to put that mask on,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

The face mask mandate will be eased, only required to be worn in indoor venues including in schools unless a teacher is addressing the class (pictured: a family queue for a Covid test in Brisbane)

Queensland Health administered another 18,776 vaccine doses in the 24 hours to 6.30am on Friday with 50 per cent of eligible Queenslanders fully vaccinated as of Wednesday.

The premier expects Queensland to hit 70 per cent fully vaccinated by the end of October or early November, but she wouldn’t say when the state borders will reopen.

‘We will open when it’s safe to do so,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

‘So what we’re looking at now we’re looking very closely at what’s happening in NSW and Victoria, and then some easing of restrictions in NSW, their vaccination rates are going up quite steadily which is great,

The state is set to hit 70 per cent double vaccination target at the end of October to early November (pictured: masses line up for their Covid vaccines at South Bank, Brisbane)

Meanwhile, Ms Palaszczuk said authorities would examine the success of the home quarantine trial after two weeks of operation.

If all goes well she hopes to announce an extension around the time of the next national cabinet meeting.

‘We’re doing the first 1000 and if that works really well then of course we’re going to extend that trial. But like Dr Young said, one step at a time,’ the premier said.

She said any extension would come down to the full cooperation of participants.

‘The big onus is on people complying.’

‘If people comply and do the right thing then it will be all systems go in that.’

The QLD Premier would not say when the state borders would open, saying they will open when it is safe to do so (pictured: pedestrians wearing masks in Brisbane’s CBD)