Masks will be mandatory for the next two weeks in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and elsewhere in southeast Queensland after the state recorded two new COVID-19 cases in the community.
The mask rules, which will be enforced from 1am on Tuesday, also apply to Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan , Redlands, Scenic Rim, the Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset.
“If we see any further spread in other parts of the state, the mask mandate will come into other parts of the site as well,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at a press conference on Monday morning.
“I know this is not idea for everyone but we’ve got to act quickly.”
The rules apply to situations where you can’t physically distance, such as shopping centres, public transport, hospitals, aged care facilities, churches and workplaces. However, authorities did mention a few situations where Queenslanders in these local government areas won’t have to wear masks.
If you’re outdoors with members of your own household, for example, masks won’t be mandatory. The same goes for being in a car by yourself and, of course, eating and drinking.
Please wear a mask outside of your home if you are in Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Somerset. pic.twitter.com/AgfSFiHyr7
— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) June 27, 2021
Nevertheless, everyone must still carry a face mask with them whenever they leave the home.
“The next 24 to 48 hours are going to be very crucial in Queensland, about whether or not we see any spread of this Delta strain,” Palaszczuk added.
“There’s a lot of things happening across the nation at the moment, and there’s some things that are happening in Queensland.”
Other restrictions being reintroduced alongside mandatory masks are the one person per four square metre rule, limiting dancefloors at weddings to 20 people, and limiting household visitors to 30 people.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young also advised that although the rules technically only come into play on Tuesday morning, people should mask up right now.
“Don’t wait till 1:00am when we’re bringing it in tomorrow morning,” she told reporters.
“Start now. That’s important.”
