April 5, 2022
COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland will be easing significantly from 1:00am next Thursday (April 14).
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement during her media conference at Kingaroy Hospital on Tuesday morning.
From next Thursday, there will be no requirement to be vaccinated or check in at:
- Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants
- Theme parks, casinos and cinemas
- Weddings
- Showgrounds
- Galleries, libraries, museums and stadiums
However, the requirement for vaccinations will still apply in vulnerable settings including:
- Hospitals
- Aged and disability care facilities
- Prisons
- Schools and early childhood centres
The Premier said the settings have achieved their purpose, ie. slowing the spread of COVID.
“More than 90 per cent of Queenslanders 12 and over have been fully vaccinated,” the Premier said.
“The Chief Health Officer advises we can now safely ease these settings and still maintain a high level of protection.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said businesses and patrons were being given plenty of notice.
“These measures have done their job,” the Minister said.
“By April 14, it is anticipated we will be at a stage of the current wave where we are comfortable to take this next step.
“But the best defence against serious illness is to be fully vaccinated.
“Our focus is now very much on getting Queenslanders boosted and children vaccinated.”
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard appealed particularly to parents of young children to consider getting vaccinated.
“Numbers of young Queensland children vaccinated are still not where they should be,” Dr Gerrard said.
“Their best protection is the vaccine and I would encourage every parent to consider it.”
Pop-up vaccine hubs will open at about 50 sites including schools across the holidays, in addition to existing sites.
Footnote: The easing of the mandates came just in time for the South Burnett National Show Society which had decided to scrap the Kingaroy Show (April 30 – May 1) because of the “green tick” restrictions on showgrounds. After the announcement was made, Society president Craig Lucas was hastily contacting everyone to tell them the show was back on!
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Premier Palaszczuk, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and Chief Health Officer John Gerrard explained the changes during a media conference held at Kingaroy Hospital on Tuesday morning:
