By Juliano Oliveira
Restrictions including the mandatory use of masks have been lifted in Greater Brisbane after 14 days since cases containing a highly contagious strain of COVID-19 were registered in a hotel.
As of tomorrow, one customer for every two square metres in cafes and restaurants is allowed. Weddings will have again up to 200 guests, and dancing can return. People will be able to stand and drink in licensed premises.
The use of masks in public transport and places without social distancing is recommended by the Government, but not mandatory.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Brisbane was Australia’s first battleground for this new strain.
“A short, sharp shutdown was successful in keeping the movement of people and the virus to a minimum,” the Premier said.
“We followed that with the mandatory use of masks in crowded places for the 14 day incubation period.”
Data disclosed by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath showed that, in the last 14 days, 103,549 people in Queensland came forward for testing; 743 close contacts were identified and managed, with 700 tested so far; and 38 overseas acquired cases of COVID-19 were detected among returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
“I want to thank all Queenslanders for rising to the challenge this latest strain has posed,” she said.
“As always, we’re continuing to encourage anyone with symptoms to come forward for testing.”