Restrictions ease for unvaccinated

Vaccination mandates and restrictions are to be relaxed further next week as Queensland "returns to a new normal".

Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk said this morning restrictions would be lifted from 1am on Thursday April 14 and it was time to "reunite" the state.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard then added there was "clear evidence from multiple sources" the state had passed the peak of community transmission of the COVID Omicron variant.

Most venues that have been open to vaccinated staff and patrons will now be open to all from April 14. 

The venues include:

• Pubs
• Clubs
• Cafes and restaurants,
• Theme parks
• Casinos and cinemas
• Weddings
• Showgrounds
• Galleries
• Libraries
• Museums
• Stadiums.

Vaccine requirements will still apply to visitors and workers in vulnerable settings including hospitals, aged care and disability care, prisons, schools and early childhood centres.

It comes as Queensland has more than 95 per cent of residents aged 12 and over with at least two vaccinations. 

There are currently four patients on ventilation in intensive care units in the state's hospitals, which expect to see admissions start falling in the next seven days.

'New normal'

“It’s time to reunite Queensland and return to a new normal,” Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk said.

“The trigger point is our levels of vaccinations. The restrictions we had in place did their job, keeping our communities safe and encouraging vaccinations.

“The Chief Health Officer is comfortable, given where we are in the current wave, these restrictions can ease from next Thursday.

“But we still need parents of younger children to consider getting their children vaccinated. Fifty pop-up sites are open for vaccinations at schools across the state in addition to existing sites.

“Masks are still encouraged where people feel they are in vulnerable settings.”

'Evidence is clear'

The Premier still urged those still unvaccinated to “go and get vaccinated”.  “The evidence is clear you are more likely to end up in hospital and risk severe illness,” the Premier said.

Dr Gerrard said lifting more restrictions is "clearly because of vaccination, the impact of this virus on the Queensland community has been relatively mild.

"It is time for us to move on. Our focus now, in terms of vaccination requirements, will be on high risk, vulnerable settings. This is likely to be the philosophy going forward around the world.

"The virus is not going to go away. You will be exposed to the virus sometime this year and it is the vaccine that will protect you."