Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing the state’s road map to reopening.Credit:Matt Dennien
The modelling showed ICU and hospital resources might come under “severe pressure” but not catastrophically before control measures could be introduced.
It assumed the only ongoing measures were testing,contact tracing,isolation of positive cases and quarantining contacts,but did not include localised lockdowns.
At 80 per cent,expected by December 17,no quarantine would be required for arrivals and travellers from hotspots could arrive by road or air. People must be fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID test in the previous 72 hours.
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Borders will be reopened on December 17 even if that 80 per cent target is not met.
The Premier said masks would not be needed at an 80 per cent vaccination rate,but could be reintroduced during localised outbreaks if the area did not have 80 per cent of residents vaccinated.
The state posted no new local coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young warned people to get vaccinated quickly.
“Every single Queenslander is going to get exposed to the COVID-19 virus and will get infected but if you’re vaccinated,that’s not a problem,” she said.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said after December 17,some businesses with all staff fully vaccinated might be able to operate with no restrictions if they chose to only allow in fully vaccinated patrons,including operating without capacity limits and masks,but details were still being worked out.
Ms D’Ath said the contact tracing app would still be mandatory as authorities would still need to test,trace and isolate infected cases.
Ms Palaszczuk said venues,including pubs,restaurants or stadiums,could bar entry to unvaccinated patrons.
LNP leader David Crisafulli called for the government to release the full roadmap.
“The state government has released a border plan,however,we still don’t know what life will look like when the border opens,” he said.
Cabinet ministers launched a regional blitz on Tuesday,with ministers Di Farmer,Mark Furner,Ms D’Ath,Grace Grace,Steven Miles,Stirling Hinchliffe,Mick de Brenni and Glenn Butcher joining the Premier in holding press conferences across the state.
In Queensland,72.47 per cent of people aged over 16 have received their first dose,while 56.9 per cent are fully vaccinated.