From 17 December 2021, restrictions on businesses will be further eased. Many businesses and venues will be able to return to operating at full capacity.
However, there will be restrictions on people who are not fully vaccinated.
When we ease border restrictions, COVID-19 will start to circulate in our community. To ensure we don’t overwhelm our hospital system when we have outbreaks, some restrictions on unvaccinated people are necessary.
These changes will commence on 17 December 2021, regardless of when 80% of Queenslanders aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.
Eased restrictions for businesses
From 17 December 2021, there will be no capacity restrictions on businesses that are only permitted to allow fully vaccinated people to attend, including:
- hospitality venues such as hotels (including hostels, backpackers, boarding houses), pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants, cafes and quick services (e,g. McDonalds, etc)
- indoor entertainment venues such as nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres or cinemas, casinos
- outdoor entertainment activities such as sporting stadiums or theme parks
- festivals – either indoor or outdoor – such as musical festivals, folk festivals or arts festivals
- activities – either indoor or outdoor – such as sporting centres, swimming pools, convention centres and showgrounds, marathons, expos, fetes
- Universities or other institutions such TAFEs and registered training organisations
- Queensland Government owned galleries, museums or libraries
Venues used for private hire will have no capacity limit if people attending are fully vaccinated. However, if there is person attending who is not fully vaccinated, COVID-19 density restrictions will apply. This means a maximum of 20 people or 1 per 4 square meters, whichever is less.
Collection of contact information by business operators
A business operator must collect contact information, proof of vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication from all staff, guests and patrons when entering an establishment by using the Check In Qld app.
If a business operator cannot use the Check In Qld app, they must use alternative measures to record the contact information details.
Restrictions for unvaccinated people
From 17 December 2021, unvaccinated people will be unable to:
- visit vulnerable settings, including hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation services, and prisons. This does not apply to residents and patients of these facilities, and there will be some exceptions for medical treatment, end-of-life visits, childbirth and emergency situations
- attend hospitality venues such as hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants or cafes
- attend indoor entertainment venues such as nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres or cinemas
- attend outdoor entertainment activities such as sporting stadiums, theme parks or tourism experience like reef excursions
- attend festivals – either indoor or outdoor – such as musical festivals, folk festivals or arts festivals
- attend Queensland Government owned galleries, museums or libraries.
If anyone attending a wedding is unvaccinated, it is restricted to a maximum of 20 people.
Funerals will not be limited to only vaccinated people. This is because funeral sometimes occur at short notice and often under difficult circumstances making it hard to ensure all attendees are vaccinated. However, funerals will still be required to comply with occupant density limits and caps on attendees to minimise the risk of transmission.
These restrictions target non-essential leisure activities which are not essential for people to meet their basic needs, but present a considerable risk to contributing to an outbreak in our community when our borders reopen.
Essential services and activities
Both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people will be able to access essential services and activities.
This means unvaccinated people will still be able to go to grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, newsagents and clothing stores, and participate in activities like going to the gym for exercise.
Capacity restrictions may still be in place at these types of businesses.
People will still need to check-in to venues. This is important to support contact tracing if there is a case at a venue. Vaccinated people can still carry the virus, although the risk is reduced.
Proof of vaccination
Proof of vaccination verifies that a person is fully vaccinated. You must show either a printed or electronic form before entering a business establishment or venue.
There are 3 different types of proof available that you can get for free:
- a COVID-19 digital certificate
- your immunisation history statement (IHS)
- an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate for overseas travel.
The COVID-19 vaccination certificate can be viewed or printed through:
Travel restrictions
ARRIVING FROM A HOTSPOT
If you have been in a declared hotspot in the past 14 days you may travel
to Queensland provided you:
- are fully vaccinated
- have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival into Queensland.
You may arrive by air or road.
There is no quarantine required if you meet these criteria.
If you do not meet these criteria, you will need to meet the relevant requirements for entry and will be required to undertake a period of quarantine in a government-nominated facility.
ARRIVING FROM ALL OTHER AREAS OF AUSTRALIA
Provided you have not been in a hotspot in the last 14 days:
- No restrictions on entry to Queensland.
- No quarantine required.
ARRIVING DIRECT FROM OVERSEAS
If you are arriving on a direct international flight you may travel to Queensland provided you:
- are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- are fully vaccinated
- have a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours prior to departure
- undertake a period of home quarantine subject to conditions set by Queensland Health.
These arrivals will be uncapped.
If you do not meet these criteria, you will need to enter within Queensland’s international air arrivals cap and undertake a period of quarantine in a government-nominated facility.
ARRIVING FROM OVERSEAS VIA ANOTHER STATE OR TERRITORY
If you have been overseas in the past 14 days, you may enter Queensland provided you:
- are fully vaccinated
- have undertaken the Queensland-specified period of quarantine under the direction of another state or territory at home or in a government-nominated facility
If you do not meet these criteria, you will need to meet the relevant requirements for entry to Queensland and will be required to undertake a period of home quarantine.
SAFE TRAVEL ZONE
Arrangements will continue to be quarantine-free.
To view the full QLD roadmap, please visit the Queensland Government website.
