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ABC News
ABC News
Health
Alex Brewster

Queensland scraps more COVID-19 restrictions despite third wave of infections

Masks are no longer required at airports. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)

Many of Queensland's remaining COVID-19 restrictions have eased from today despite health authorities confirming the state is experiencing a third wave of new cases of the virus.

Announcing the changes last week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the rules had served their purpose.

"Queensland has remained strong. Restrictions that protected us have eased in sensible stages," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I once again pay tribute to the resilience of Queenslanders for the strength of response to this pandemic."

So what's changed, what (if any) restrictions remain, and where do you have to wear a mask?

These restrictions have been scrapped

As of 1am, vaccinations are now no longer mandatory for visitors to aged care facilities, disability accommodation, and correctional facilities.

Unless required by their employer, vaccinations will no longer be mandatory for workers in high-risk settings, such as early childhood centres, schools, outside school care, correctional facilities, and airports.

Anyone travelling to Queensland from an international location won't need to complete a COVID-19 test after arriving.

What restrictions remain?

A vaccine mandate remains current for anyone who works in a healthcare setting, including hospital workers, aged care workers, and disability support workers.

Face masks must be worn in the above health settings, as well as prisons and detention centres, while on public transport and while waiting at the platform, in a taxi or rideshare vehicle and while waiting at a taxi rank or pick-up area, and on a plane.

Masks no longer need to be worn in indoor areas of airports.

The requirement to wear masks on public transport remains. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)

When will the remaining restrictions be lifted?

In an interview with the ABC this week, Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard hinted it could be soon.

"That will end when the public health emergency ends. I imagine that would end sometime in the next few weeks or couple of months," he said.

"The public health emergency will not continue forever.

"Having said that, individual hospitals may still mandate masks in the hospital environment independent of the directions."

Health officials give greenlight to scrap masks at airports.
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