Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced major changes to the Roadmap to Easing Restrictions.

Today’s announcement will see a number of restrictions eased including more people allowed to gather together, greater capacities in venues, all guests allowed to dance at weddings, ticketed events such as theatres, concerts, and stadiums allowed full capacity with COVID Safe plans, and dancing will finally be allowed for outdoor events.

As of 4:00pm on Tuesday November 17:

• Gatherings: increase gatherings in homes and public spaces from 40 to 50 across Queensland
• Indoor premises: increase from one person per four square metres to one person per two square metres (eg restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, indoor play areas, museums, art galleries, places of worship, convention centres and parliament house
• Weddings: up to 200 people can attend a wedding and all guests can dance
• Funerals: Up to 200 people can attend a funeral
• Indoor events: seated, ticket venues to increase from 50% to 100% (eg theatre, live music, cinemas and indoor sports) Performers can reduce distance from audience from 4m to 2m except choirs which remain at 4m from audience
• Outdoor events: increase outdoor events from 1000 to 1500 with a COVID safe checklist (larger events require a COVID safe plan)
• Open air stadiums: Increase seated Capacity from 75% to 100%
• Outdoor dancing: outdoor dancing allowed (eg outdoor music festivals, beer gardens)

The Premier said these were sensible steps back to normality after Queensland recorded 60 days without a locally acquired case.

“This is the result of the hard work of Queenslanders,” the Premier said.

“Other countries are experiencing third waves with increasing numbers of daily cases.

“Queenslanders are able to enjoy our Queensland way of life and we have to keep up the good work.”

The new restrictions mean a full capacity crowd can attend State of Origin three in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the increased capacities in venues would be great for jobs.

“The easing of restrictions that we are announcing will be significant for our economy, for businesses and particularly for tourism in Far North Queensland,” she said.

“This will support many jobs in Queensland because it will allow many venues to double in capacity.”

But she urged everyone to remain vigilant.

“That means keep up social distancing, stay home if you’re sick and maintain basic hygiene.”

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said people attending indoor and outdoor events should wear a mask.

She said it could be taken off while in your assigned seat but should be worn when you could be mixing with people such as when entering or exciting or getting food or using the toilet.

National cabinet to see borders open

National cabinet also met today with the opening of state borders across the country top of mind.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new agreement had been struck between state leaders today that will see Australians be able to travel freely between all states and territories except Western Australia by Christmas.

In Queensland, Ms Palaszczuk said the Dr Young, would continue to assess the decision at the end of the month.

"There is a national aspiration, of course, to have the borders open before Christmas," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"In relation to Victoria, we're very encouraged with what's happening down there.
"We will be looking very closely at the end of the month at Victoria, and also New South Wales.

"There may be some hot spots."