Queensland will open its border to New South Wales next month if there is no unlinked community transmission in the southern state for 28 days, as part of a new restriction roadmap released today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the new roadmap to easing restrictions in Queensland which includes removing some border restrictions, increasing gatherings in public spaces, unseated drinking and eating, and dancing at weddings.

Restrictions easing

Stage 4 October:

• Standing eating and drinking permitted at indoor and outdoor venues with a COVID Safe Plan or Checklist (From 4pm Friday 2 October 2020).
• Additional local government areas included in the declared border zone across Northern NSW.
• Outdoor density requirements relaxed for businesses with a COVID Safe Plan to one person per 2 square metres.
• Up to 1000 people per day permitted at outdoor events with a COVID Safe Events Checklist
• 75% seating capacity in outdoor stadiums and amphitheatres.

Stage 5 November:

• Visitors and returned travellers from NSW can enter Queensland with a valid Queensland Border Declaration pass without having to complete mandatory quarantine, provided there have been no unlinked cases in the previous 28 days
• Gatherings of up to 40 people will be allowed in homes and public spaces across Queensland
• Up to 40 people can dance at a wedding with a COVID Safe Plan

Stage 6 December:

• Gatherings of up to 50 people allowed in homes and public spaces across Queensland
• Outdoor events can increase the maximum number of attendees permitted with COVID Safe Events Checklist from 1000 to 1500
• Unlimited dancing at weddings with a COVID Safe Plan
• At this stage there will be a further review of dancing restrictions at other venues

The Queensland border will remain closed to Victoria until community transmission is under control.

The Premier said the new roadmap gives more certainty to the community and businesses through to the end of this year by outlining monthly easing of restrictions.

“Queenslanders deserve the credit for this,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“And from 4pm today, Queenslanders will be able to celebrate this achievement by getting a drink or a meal out without having to be seated.

“We have always said that we would continue to ease restrictions where we could in a staged and balanced way to keep Queenslanders safe – and this plan does just that.

“We’ve had to make hard decisions, but it is because of these decisions and the hard work of Queenslanders that we are in the position to continue easing restrictions.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said COVID safe checks would be undertaken at the end of each month before the state moves into further stages.

“We’ve based our decisions about COVID-19 restrictions on the best health advice available and we will continue to do so to make sure we keep Queensland’s future safe,” Mr Miles said.

“Our Chief Health Officer and public health team will analyse intrastate, interstate and international data before any decision to move to the next stage.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young thanked Queenslanders for being so cooperative with public health directions and restrictions.

“The hard work of Queenslanders has helped us to the strong position our state is in today – it has been a fantastic result,” Dr Young said.

“So that we can keep easing restrictions, it is vital that we maintain physical distance (think two big steps), wear a facemask in public when physical distancing is not possible and wash your hands.

“But most importantly, if you are sick, get tested and stay at home.”