COVID-19 update August 18: Community sport to resume

Published 11:38am 18 August 2021

Community sport will be allowed again from Saturday, as COVID-19 restrictions ease from 4pm on Friday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says with no community cases detected in Queensland in the past 24 hours, we will be able to have up to 30 people in our homes and weddings and funerals will be allowed to have 100 guests.

Stadiums and events will be allowed to operate at 75 percent capacity and from 4pm on Friday people will not have to wear masks outside, although we must carry them at all times and wear them indoors.

"It's an added protection against the Delta variant, but it's a small price to pay for easing restrictions."

But Ms Palaszczuk says the current restrictions will remain for cafes and restaurants for another week as authorities monitor community-transmitted cases.

"In the 11 LGAs where these restrictions have been, an additional week will apply because of what's happening across the border in NSW," she says.

New mask rules

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young says with the easing of restrictions in those 11 local government areas there will the requirements for wearing masks will also ease.

“While you no longer have to wear a mask at all times, you are still required to carry one with you when you leave home,” Dr Young says.

“You must wear it indoors – places like shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets, hospitals and aged care facilities – or if you are outside and unable to physically distance.

“Face masks have played a big part in our ability to contain the latest clusters.

"A mask is a simple weapon against a complex virus.

“That’s why for an extra week from this Friday, school students will also be required to continue wearing masks in a classroom setting.”