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Queensland to ditch mask mandates, density limits

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland is "coming off" its Omicron wave.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland is "coming off" its Omicron wave. Photo: AAP

Queensland will scrap face mask mandates in most indoor settings and density limits at most venues next week, as its COVID-19 outbreak fades.

The state recorded five COVID-19 new deaths and 5583 cases in the 24 hours to 6.30 am on Tuesday.

There are 380 patients in hospital and another 30 in intensive care, with 11 people on ventilation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says with the outbreak dissipating, the face mask mandate and density limits can be eased from 6 pm on Friday March 4.

“Masks will no longer be required in most settings, you won’t need them at work or in school or at the shops, staff and patrons won’t be required to wear them at cafes, pubs and restaurants,” she told parliament on Tuesday.

“Mr Speaker smiles are back. We can put our masks away.”

Masks will still be mandatory on public transport and in airports, hospitals, disability care, aged care and prisons.

Density limits will also be scrapped for private homes, weddings and funerals and there will be no limits in food courts, hairdressers, gyms, private venues and universities.

A ban on school excursions, assemblies and interschool visits will also be ditched from 6pm on March 4.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said people should continue carrying masks and wearing them in large social settings or where they can’t socially distance.

Demands to prove vaccination status for entry to a wide range of venues will remain once the mask restrictions are ditched, as will certain quarantine requirements.

“We will regularly be updated by the Chief Health Officer as to when we can move to lifting further restrictions,” Ms D’Ath said.

There is still a “significant chance” mandatory masks will return if cases rise with the cooler weather, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said.

“We don’t know what the future will hold, but we assume there will be some sort of wave in winter,” he said.

The government will also ditch its daily COVID-19 briefings next week and will publish numbers online, unless there’s an important announcement to make.

The latest figures show that 92.54 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have had one vaccine dose, while 90.61 per cent have had two.

– AAP

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