Mask mandates are about to change

By Smart Strata on February 25th, 2022 in QLD

What seems like only a few short weeks ago we thought it was important to update you on some key considerations that body corporate committees and strata communities should be considering to be as COVID safe as possible. If you missed that article you can find it here: Covid safe communities – Best Practise tips.

While this article is still highly relevant the mask mandate is set to be updated from 6pm on the 4th of March.

From this date masks will no longer be required indoors, except in hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation, prisons, public transport, airports, and on planes.

For more information see the Queensland Health mask mandate below:

Upcoming easing of restrictions in Queensland

From 6pm AEST Friday 4 March 2022:

Masks will no longer be required indoors, except in hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation, prisons, public transport, airports and on planes.
Masks will no longer be required in schools, including for staff, students and visitors.
Masks will still be recommended whenever you can’t social distance.
There will be no limit on the number of visitors you can have in your home at one time.
Venues and events will no longer have capacity limits.

Until then, current face mask requirements (see below) and other public health and social measures remain in effect.

Overview

From Sunday 2 January 2022, you must wear a mask indoors everywhere in Queensland. This includes:

all indoor workplaces
public transport and rideshare
supermarkets and retail shops
hospitality venues including pubs, clubs and cafes
cinemas and theatres
indoor stadium, sports arena or sports centre
gyms and sport activities
vulnerable settings like hospitals and aged care
schools, childcare and other education facilities
airports and on planes

You do not need to wear a mask outdoors if you can remain 1.5 metres away from others that are not members of your household.

Children under 12 years and people affected by a medical condition or disability do not lawfully have to wear a face mask. See exceptions from wearing face masks.

Outdoors

You are not required to wear a mask outdoors unless you can’t maintain 1.5m physical distance from other people.

Indoor workplaces

You must wear a masks at indoor workplaces such as offices unless it is unsafe to wear it or you are sitting at a workplace or standing at a workstation and can maintain physical distance from others. If you work alone in an office you do not need to wear a mask.

If you move around the workplace or if you have frequent contact with people (such as at a reception or sales desk), you must wear a face mask.

Public transport

Masks must be worn on public transport, including platforms and ferry terminals.

Private vehicles

You are not required to wear a mask in your car if you are driving alone or with members from your household.

Masks must be worn by the driver and passenger/s if anyone is not a member of the same household.

Taxis and rideshares

Masks must be worn in taxis and rideshares, including ranks and designated pick-up areas.

Masks must be worn at all times by both driver and passenger, unless the driver is alone in the vehicle.

Indoor retail

Masks must be worn at all times in shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and shops. There are exceptions for photo sessions.

Hospitality venues

Masks must be worn at all times in hospitality venues except when seated. This includes pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes, food courts and other venues where a person buys and consumes food, drinks and ready to eat meals.

Indoor cinemas and theatres

Masks must be worn at all times, such as when entering and exiting and when seated. Persons are allowed to remove their masks when eating or drinking during the movie or in other areas of the cinema.

Indoor stadium, sports arena or sports centre

Masks must be worn at all times, including standing as a spectator, unless seated to watch as a spectator.

Gyms and sport activities

Masks must be worn when entering or leaving the facilities and can only be removed during strenuous exercise.

Vulnerable settings

Masks must be worn at all times by healthcare workers and visitors in hospitals, healthcare settings, residential aged care facilities, disability accommodations, and prisons.

Queensland airports

You must wear a face mask and wear it in all indoor areas of a Queensland airport as well as outdoor passenger transport and passenger waiting areas, such as carparks and taxi ranks.

Face masks do not need to be worn in outdoor areas of an airport unless you are in a passenger transport or passenger waiting area.

Air crew and airport workers who are not interacting directly with passengers do not need to wear a face mask.

Domestic commercial flights

You must wear a face mask at all times if you are on a domestic commercial flight while the plane is at a Queensland airport or in Queensland airspace.

Please note other states have similar rules in place regarding the wearing of face masks on planes and in airports.

Transport drivers

All transport drivers transporting people required to quarantine to or from government nominated quarantine must have a transport plan (DOCX) and be endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This plan outlines personal protective equipment requirements.

Quarantined persons

If you are required to quarantine, you must wear a face mask at all times while travelling from the airport to your quarantine hotel or, if eligible, home quarantine. You must wear the mask until you arrive at your allocated room in government arranged accommodation or, if eligible, at your quarantine residence.

Exceptions from wearing face masks

There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:

children under 12
travelling in a private vehicle, either alone or with only members of the person’s household
a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
is seated at a hospitality venue such as a pub, club, café or restaurant or in an indoor stadium, sports arena or sports centre
is participating in strenuous sporting activity or exercise in an indoor space
performing work where clear visibility of the mouth is required, e.g. a speech therapist in a hospital or healthcare setting.
when providing or receiving a permitted service and it is not reasonably practical to do so wearing a face mask (such as a person receiving facial beauty treatment in a retail shop)
where visibility of the mouth is essential
where a mask needs to be removed to clearly communicate
a person with a particular medical condition or disability
performing work where clear visibility of the mouth is required, e.g. a speech therapist in a hospital or healthcare setting.
a resident of a residential aged care facility or a shared disability accommodation service (This is subject to any policies or requirements of a facility or service)
a prisoner in a corrective services facility or a detainee in a detention centre (This is subject to any policies or requirements of that facility or centre)
a person undergoing medical treatment
if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity purposes
if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
in an emergency or when required by law
in any circumstances when it’s not safe to wear a mask
if you are an air crew member or airport worker who is not interacting directly with passengers

A person who removes their face mask under an exemption must resume wearing a face mask as soon as practical. For example, as soon as they finish eating, broadcasting or receiving medical care.