CANDIDATES and their assistants will be banned from handing out how-to-vote cards at polling booths on March 28.
In the latest restriction forced by the coronavirus outbreak, Queensland's Minister for Local Government said the Electoral Commission of Queensland had directed all candidates to find other methods to display how-to-vote information.
"Use traditional election-size signs, put them on a table so voters can help themselves, print it on a t-shirt - there are plenty of ways to get the message across without having to get close to people, " Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
"It's 2020 and our candidates are all a pretty savvy lot so use social media and emails."
The ECQ directive also applies to other election material, including fliers, leaflets and voter information cards.
The directive comes as the State's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young reiterated it was still safe to vote.
"The risk of contracting COVID-19 at a polling location is low," Dr Young told the ECQ.
"People will be frequently entering and exiting the environment, spending little time in static close contact, which reduces the risk of spread of COVID 19.
"I appreciate the measures being proposed by Electoral Commission Queensland as they should address the risk of community transmission of COVID-19, while allowing important electoral processes to continue."
The Electoral Commissioner's directive to candidates and their assisstants means:
. All such persons attending a polling booth must maintain hygiene standards, in accordance with Queensland Health guidelines;
. All such persons must not shake hands, or attempt to shake hands, with electors as they are entering or waiting to enter a polling booth;
. All such persons must maintain social distancing while near a polling booth by staying 1.5 metres away from other people;
. Candidates, political parties and other electoral participants must actively attempt to minimise the number of workers engaging in these activities at a polling booth; and
. Where available, candidates, political parties and other electoral participants should make use of alternate how-to-vote card and election material distribution methods, including static display, use of a common collection point, or electronic distribution to electors away from a polling booth.
For the latest information visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au