As you will be aware, from 5am tomorrow (17 December) the Public Health and Social Measures Linked to Vaccination Status Direction (‘Direction’) will take effect. See the Direction HERE

Unvaccinated people will be unable to attend hospitality venues such as hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants or cafes. This includes patrons, employees and contractors. The Direction is made under the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld) and is Queensland law which must be followed.

Who must be vaccinated?

  • All people entering and remaining in the venue’s bar, restaurant and/or cafe areas aged 16 years and over will need to be fully vaccinated. This includes patrons, employees and contractors who must all check-in using the Check In Qld App and show proof of their vaccination status or exemption.
  • A person is considered fully vaccinated when they have had two doses of a TGA approved vaccine.
  • A person with a medical exemption to being vaccinated (a medical contraindication) can also enter and is considered the same as a vaccinated person.

Who doesn’t need to be vaccinated?

  • Patrons who are entering the main venue, a detached bottle shop, an attached bottle shop or ‘liquor barn’ for the purpose of purchasing or collecting takeaway food and/or beverage do not need to be vaccinated. They must still check-in for contact tracing details .
  • Patrons who are purchasing takeaway food or beverage through a drive-thru transaction (remaining in the vehicle) do not need to be vaccinated and do not need to check-in for contact tracing details.
  • ‘Accommodation only’ guests will not have to be vaccinated for accommodation purposes. Unvaccinated hotel accommodation guests can access the pool, gym and spa areas.

What does proof of vaccination or evidence of a medical contraindication include?

Both proof of vaccination or evidence of a medical contraindication can be either printed or electronic. These include:

  • a written confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination given to the person, such as a record of vaccine card
  • vaccination information displayed on the Check in Qld app
  • a COVID-19 digital certificate or printed vaccination certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) – Information about the AIR can be found HERE
  • an online or printed immunisation history statement for COVID-19, including confirmation of a medical contraindication
  • an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.

Note: a standard medical certificate is not acceptable proof of a medical contraindication. A legally qualified medical practitioner is required to complete the medical exemption form and record this on the Australian Immunisation Register.

See the following examples of what acceptable evidence of vaccination or medical exemption may look like HERE

In addition there are also the handwritten COVID-19 Record of Vaccination cards – see examples HERE

Enforcing the Check-in requirements – Venues must take reasonable steps

As we have already been doing for check-in for collection of contact tracing details, venues must take reasonable steps to comply with the new vaccination entry requirements.

The onus is on the person entering to show proof of their vaccination status and venues must take reasonable steps to enforce this. These include:

  • Signage at entry points and Qld Check-in App QR codes – prominently display signage that makes it clear to people that proof of vaccination is required for entry. See example HERE
  • Checking patrons’ proof of vaccination - Staff should ask for evidence of vaccination from customers at the time of check-in, or when they first meet and greet them, or prior to service
  • If a customer cannot or refuses to provide evidence, ask the person to leave the premises.

For any customers who challenge the legality – inform them that it is binding Queensland law as the Direction is made under the Public Health Act 2005 (Qld), Section 362B. If there are customers refusing to comply, you can refuse their entry. If necessary, call the police. Your best efforts ‘as above’ will constitute taking reasonable steps, and there is an onus is on patrons to comply and those who deliberately avoid or mislead are liable, not the venue.

Penalties for people refusing to comply are $1,378.00 for an individual.

The QHA has developed a range of posters to assist and educate customers HERE

Accessing TAB and/or KENO services in venue

Queensland Health have advised that unvaccinated patrons cannot enter the venue for TAB or KENO transactions.

Accommodation Hotels and Resort Pool Areas

  • ‘As above’ unvaccinated people can access and remain in pool areas.
  • ‘As above’ unvaccinated people can also get takeaway food and beverages from within venue outlets.

COVID Safe Checklist

Venues will still be required to operate in accordance with the COVID Safe Checklist, which must be signed and on display.

The checklist required from 5.00am on Friday 17 December 2021 is available HERE

Further information including industry FAQs can be found HERE

Note: Posters and other resources to assist businesses can be found at Business health and safety resources for coronavirus (COVID-19)