COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in outback Queensland from next weekend, with up to 20 people able to dine-in at cafes, restaurants and pubs.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced that some restrictions would be eased across the state from next Saturday, with special consideration given to remote outback areas that have recorded no cases of the coronavirus.
In greater Queensland, cafes, pubs serving food and restaurants will be able to open for dine-in customers with no more than 10 people seated at any one time.
Day trips of up to 150km away from home will be permitted, as will gatherings of five people in the home, or 10 people outdoors.
Pools and lagoons will also be reopened, adhering to covid-safe distancing measures.
Beauty services like nail salons will be able to reopen, via appointment, with no more than 10 people present in the establishment at any one time.
Restrictions on the number of people attending funerals have been eased, with 20 people able to attend an indoor service, or 30 people at an outdoor venue.
In outback Queensland where no cases of coronavirus have been recorded, more people will be allow to gather.
People will also be able to travel 500km from their communities, to other remote locations that have also not recorded cases of the virus.
"In outback Queensland we have to acknowledge this is a different situation to the rest of Queensland with no quarantined cases in the outback," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Dining in pubs and cafes with up to 20 people... and community and recreational activities up to 500km."
Stage two of eased restrictions would be rolled out from 11.59pm, on Friday, June 12, which would see the outback measures of up to 20 people expanded across the state. Holiday travel within the region would also be allowed.
Ms Palaszczuk said stage three would include reviews of border closures and build to 100 customers for venues giving certainty to business, communities and families to be able to plan ahead.
"All things going well, from June school holidays, Queenslanders will be able to drive and stay at accommodation for the first time since the pandemic hit," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"These are sensible, gradual steps to a safe COVID recovery that reconnects our communities and keeps the economy moving."
The announcement comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a three step plan to get Australia back to a covid safe economy, following a meeting of national cabinet today.
When the stages are rolled out will be at the discretion of individual states and territories.
Step one includes allowing five visitors at home, or 10 in businesses and public places. Restaurants, cafes and shops will reopen, as will libraries community centres, playgrounds and bootcamps. Local and regional travel will be allowed.
Step two will allow for gatherings of up to 20 people at home, in businesses and public places. Gyms, cinemas, galleries and amusement parks and caravan and camping grounds will reopen. Some interstate travel will be allowed.
Step three will see gathering sizes increased to 100, people will return to their workplaces, nightclubs, food courts and saunas will reopen. All interstate travel will be reopened and there will be consideration of cross-Tasman and Pacific Island travel.
