Dear members,

As you probably have seen, the lockdown of Greater Brisbane will lift at 6pm tonight.

There are however, still some restrictions being implemented until 1am Friday 22 January, 2020.

The concept for this is that whilst the lockdown for 3 days was necessary, there is concern that for the length of the virus incubation period (another 10 days) that there is still potential community infection possible.

Below is are the restrictions that have been released by the Government.

Until 1am, Friday 22 January:

MASKS

  • Must be worn in indoor places including shopping centres and supermarkets, gyms, workplaces where people cannot socially distance and where it is safe, places of worship, libraries, public transport, taxis and ride share vehicles
  • Must be carried at all times
  • Are not required to be worn when outdoors at a safe distance from other people (for example, walking a dog), in private vehicles or doing strenuous exercise

BUSINESSES AND VENUES

  • Indoors: 1 person per 4 sqm
  • Outdoors: 1 person per 2 sqm
  • Seated eating and drinking only
  • Smaller venues up to 200 sqm: 1 person per 2sqm up to a maximum of 50
  • No dancing except for weddings

GATHERINGS

  • Up to 20 in homes and public spaces
  • Weddings: up to 100. No restriction on dancing
  • Funerals: up to 100
  • Indoor concert venues or theatres: 50% capacity or 1 person per 4 sqm whichever is greater

For clarity, for QHA members there are some operational points that I would like to advise:

  • Venues in the Greater Brisbane area can open and operate only at the 1 patron/4sqm indoors but 1 patron/2sqm outdoors
  • Staff in customer facing roles must wear masks
  • In other cases staff can wear masks if they feel that they are unable to keep socially distant.
  • Patrons that are inside can remove masks once seated.
  • Patrons must be seated to eat and drink. My apologies for the strain that this immediately puts on your staff.

Whilst we are not entirely happy with this outcome, at least it is only for one weekend and we hope to get this lifted.

Qld Police Service has been advised to take an educative approach with regards to masks and new restrictions and I have been assured that OLGR will undertake a similar approach.

Contact tracing will remain a key element to us being able to continue unwinding restrictions.

Thank you once again for your efforts and hopefully trade will return from Tuesday.

Regards

Bernie