The Queensland Government has announced that from 17 December, unvaccinated people will be unable to:
- Attend hospitality venues such as hotels, pubs, clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants or cafes.
- Attend indoor entertainment venues such as nightclubs, live music venues, karaoke bars, concerts, theatres or cinemas.
- Attend outdoor entertainment activities such as sporting stadiums or theme parks.
- Attend festivals – either indoor or outdoor – such as musical festivals, folk festivals or arts festivals.
- Attend Queensland Government owned galleries, museums or libraries.
- Visit vulnerable settings, including hospitals, residential aged care, disability care accommodation, and prisons. There will be some exceptions for medical treatment, end-of-life visits, childbirth and emergency situations.
Please note that the actual specific details will be outlined in a Public Health Direction from the Acting Chief Health Officer that will make the above-mentioned measures a legal requirement in Queensland.
An updated Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction #30 has not yet been finalised or released, we expect this to occur in the coming week/s.
This means that only fully vaccinated staff and patrons will be permitted to enter those venues outlined above from 17 December.
Until the Direction is finalised, the QHA understands there are many areas requiring clarification. Please rest assured we are engaged with all relevant levels and departments of government to get the correct information for your businesses asap.
We can confirm the following:
- The commencement date will be 17 December and no earlier.
- Only people aged 16 and over will need to be fully vaccinated to enter.
- A person is considered fully vaccinated when they have had two doses of a TGA approved vaccine.
- People will still need to check-in to venues via the Check-In Qld app.
- From 19 November, people will be able to link their vaccination certificate into the Check-In Qld app.
- Detached bottle shops will not be part of the ‘fully vaccinated people only’ requirement (as deemed essential retail, as was the case during lockdowns).
- Density restrictions will not apply from 17 December.
We are seeking clarification on the following, plus a range of other matters:
- When the Public Direction will be released.
- The enforcement requirements of venues and what constitutes reasonable steps.
- Whether it applies to ‘accommodation only’ guests.
- Whether it applies for picking up take-away food & beverage.
- Dealing with staff as per below.
QHA EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
The Employment Relations team will be preparing resources for use by members in relation to employees use as soon as the Public Health Direction is released.
Those resources will be made available to members at no cost, and are likely to include:
- A checklist for preparing for 17 December.
- Template notice of the directive.
- Template directions to get vaccinated.
- Template notice of inability to work on and from 17 December.
There may be more that we make available for staffing matters, but that is dependent on matters that the CHO directive raises for hospitality workers.
Thank you for your patience while we wait for the CHO directive, take the time interpret it when it is released, and prepare necessary resources for you. The QHA will release more information for members as soon as it can.
In the meantime, see the following links to information:
Queensland restrictions at 80% vaccination (including FAQs):
Queensland Government Vaccine Plan:
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/queenslands-covid19-vaccine-plan
