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Qld Covid restrictions and lockdown: Brisbane and regional Queensland coronavirus rules explained

<span>Photograph: Darren England/AAP</span>
Photograph: Darren England/AAP

The Queensland government is ending its week-long snap lockdown at 4pm on Sunday 8 August for 11 local government areas in south-east Queensland.

The local government areas leaving lockdown are : Brisbane City; Moreton Bay; Gold Coast; Ipswich; Lockyer Valley; Logan City; Noosa Shire; Redland City; Scenic Rim; Somerset; Sunshine Coast.

But from 4pm on Sunday 8 August, the Cairns local government area and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council will go into a snap lockdown for three days.

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Can you leave your home?

After 4pm on Sunday 8 August until at least 4pm on Wednesday 11 August, if you are in the Cairns LGA or Yarrabah ALC , you can only leave home for these reasons:

  • To obtain essential goods such as groceries and medications, but only within 10km of your home. People in rural areas can travel beyond 10km to their nearest shop.

  • For essential work, school or child care. School or childcare is only allowed for essential workers or vulnerable families.

  • To exercise, with a maximum of one other person who is not from your household. You must stay within 10km of your home.

  • To get health care, to care for some who needs assistance, or to get a Covid test or vaccine.

If you are not in that LGA or ASC, there are no restrictions on leaving your home after 4pm on Sunday 8 August unless you are self-isolating as a close contact or awaiting test results.

Do you need to wear a face mask?

People in the 11 local government areas in south-east Queensland, including greater Brisbane, must wear a mask when they are outside of their own home until 4pm on Sunday 22 August unless:

  • You are alone or with members of your household outdoors or in your car

  • You are eating or drinking

  • It is unsafe to do so

  • You are vigorously exercising with your household or one other person

You are required to wear a mask in your workplace, even where physical distancing is possible, unless it is unsafe or you are working alone in a closed office.

In the 11 LGAs, masks are required for all teachers and staff in all schools (primary and secondary), as well as secondary school students.

Mask-wearing rules also apply in the Cairns LGA and Yarrabah ASC.

In the rest of Queensland, people are encouraged to wear masks but it is not mandatory, unless you are at an airport, on a flight, or at a stadium. Everyone is encouraged to carry a face mask at all times and wear one when physical distancing is not possible.

What are the limits on gatherings and events?

From 4pm on 8 August, for two weeks until 22 August, people in the 11 LGAs in south-east Queensland, will be allowed to have 10 people in their home (including those who live there) and in public spaces.

In these 11 LGAs, funerals and weddings will also be restricted to 20 people, including those officiating. Visitors are allowed at hospitals, aged care and disability accommodation. But community sport is not permitted.

From 4pm on Sunday 8 August until 4pm on Wednesday 11 August, those in the Cairns LGA and Yarrabah ALC can only have two visitors in their home (excluding those who live there). Weddings and funerals are limited to 20 people.

In other parts of the state not under lockdown, the limit on gatherings in homes is 100 people. Funerals and weddings can be indoors but will be limited to one person per 2 sq metres, or 200 people, or 100% capacity of the venue with ticketed allocated seating – whichever is greater. There is no limit on numbers for outdoor weddings or funerals.

Ticketed venues and stadiums with allocated seating can have 100% capacity. At stadiums, patrons must wear a mask at all times, including when seated. They must be seated to eat or drink (during which masks can be removed).

There are no restrictions on outdoor events.

Are businesses open?

In the 11 South East Queensland LGAs, businesses and venues are now allowed to reopen with one person per 4 sq metres, or 50% capacity when seated.

In the Cairns LGA and Yarrabah LCA, all restricted businesses and activities in the locked down areas must close during the lockdown period unless an exemption applies.

In other parts of the state, shops, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, gyms, beauty services and other businesses can operate subject to density limits and Covid-safe rules, listed here.

From 9 July, the use of a Covid check-in app is mandatory for many businesses.

Can you travel anywhere?

If you are in one of the 11 LGAs under lockdown, there are no travel restrictions, however you are asked to reconsider the need to travel outside regional Queensland.

  • Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is regularly updated to ensure it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will continue to be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.