Queensland’s COVID lockdown will be lifted for some regions but restrictions still apply. Here’s what you need to know

If you’re in the Brisbane or Moreton Bay local government areas, you will remain in lockdown until 6:00pm on Saturday.

If you’re in Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, Townsville or Palm Island — lockdown will be lifted but restrictions will still apply from 6:00pm today.

Here’s what we know about what restrictions apply and where:

What are the key restrictions?

In the locations where lockdown is lifting, restrictions will still apply and will remain in place for 14 days — ending on Friday, July 16 at 6:00pm.

In these 11 local government areas, residents must carry a mask at all times outside the home and wear them indoors or where social distancing isn’t possible.

You must be seated to drink or eat in cafes and restaurants, and businesses and venues must return to the one person per 4 square metre rule inside and one person per 2 square metre rule outdoors.

Smaller venues, up to 200 square metres, are allowed one person per 2 square metres with a maximum of 50 people.

You must be seated when eating and drinking in venues.

Statewide restrictions on aged care, hospitals, disability care and correctional facilities will continue to apply with no personal visitors allowed for the next two weeks.

Can we dance or have visitors yet?

Where lockdown is lifted, private gatherings are restricted to 30 people, including the residents of the home.

Up to 100 people can attend weddings and funerals.

Only 20 people can dance at weddings but dancing is banned elsewhere.

What is the deal with masks?

Everyone will be required to wear a mask whenever they’re outside their home, unless they’re an exempt person.

You do not have to wear a mask while in your car.

Masks do not need to be worn in some circumstances, including children under 12 years, where people have certain medical conditions, and in workplaces where it is not safe to do so.

Masks do not need to be worn outdoors when exercising unless you cannot socially distance.

If you leave any of the local government areas that have restrictions in place, you will still be required to wear a mask indoors and outdoors wherever you are in the state.

What if I live outside a lockdown area, but have been in Brisbane?

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young says if you have been in the Brisbane or Moreton Bay council areas since 6:00pm on June 29 you need to continue to follow lockdown rules no matter where you are.

“It’s if you’ve been in that LGA, you’re covered by that,” she said.

“So one of the reasons you can leave your home is for essential work that you can’t do from home but otherwise you can only leave for exercise, caregiving responsibilities, healthcare and purchasing essential goods.”

When will lockdown lift for Brisbane and Moreton Bay?

The lockdown remains in place in Brisbane and Moreton Bay until 6:00pm on Saturday.

Authorities will monitor case numbers overnight and provide an update on Saturday morning.

“Please don’t leave Brisbane or the Moreton Bay to go anywhere else – I don’t want to spread this virus beyond where it currently is,” Dr Young said.

Dr Young again emphasised the importance of getting tested at the first sign of any respiratory symptom.

“Anywhere in the state, doesn’t matter,” she said. 

“Don’t think, ‘I haven’t had any contact with someone who might be a case.’ Don’t ever think that.

“Just come forward and immediately get tested because we’ve got to find cases as quickly as we possibly can.

“That’s critical.”

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