IN news that was delivered on Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a range of measures that will see life return to normal for vaccinated Queenslanders however, the opposition including local MP Dan Purdie has stated that the new restrictions will create chaos over our busy Christmas tourism season – the state government is standing firm stating their new measures will protect those members of the community who are most vulnerable.
Pubs, clubs, nightclubs and music venues will be freed of all restrictions provided all patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.
The new measures will take effect from December 17 or once the state reaches 80 per cent of eligible Queenslanders fully vaccinated whichever comes first – the new measures will affect everyone 16 years of age and older.
The Premier said these measures are a reward for vaccinated Queenslanders who deserve their lives to be returned to normal and they are also a greater measure of protection once borders re-open.
“This pandemic has been a long, hard road,” the Premier said.
“Soon our borders will open and COVID will be in our communities.
“This is about keeping our freedoms.”
From December 17 hospitality venues including pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes will be open only to vaccinated staff and patrons. Entertainment venues including live music and karaoke bars will be for vaccinated staff and patrons only and music festivals both indoor and outdoor will be for vaccinated staff, performers and patrons only.
In order to protect the most vulnerable, visitors to Aged Care, Hospitals, Prisons and Disability Services will be required to be vaccinated except in end of life, childbirth or emergencies.
Government-owned galleries, museums and libraries will be for vaccinated only and there will be no limit on weddings where all attendees are vaccinated and events at all Queensland government stadiums including Suncorp, The Gabba, Queensland Country Bank and Metricon will be for the fully vaccinated only including staff.
Police will enforce the requirements of the venues.
Member for Ninderry and Shadow Assistant Minister for COVID Economic Recovery Dan Purdie stated that better consultation was required before the busy Christmas trading season.
Mr Purdie said he had been working with local stakeholders including Coolum Business and Tourism and Coolum Surf Club who are desperate for more detail around eased restrictions, and how it will impact them.
“With the tourism industry such an integral part of the Sunshine Coast economy, local business leaders have been calling for greater clarity around the new public health rules that will come into effect next month,” Mr Purdie said.
“For the past 18 months, these small and family-run businesses have been at the coalface of the COVID crisis and they have been hanging on month by month for a detailed plan, but the latest information only raises more questions,” Mr Purdie said.
Coolum Surf Club General Manager Mal Wright said the government needed to consult more with business and industry before making announcements
“These ad-hoc decisions aren’t helpful and don’t provide the clarity or certainty we need to prepare for what should be our busiest trading period,” Mr Wright said.
“Businesses need to start rostering staff, ordering stock and planning for what will hopefully be a prosperous Christmas.”
Coolum Business and Tourism President Mark Cameron said the ambiguity of the new rules will create further headaches for business operators.
“They don’t deserve the added stress of potentially being burdened with compliance and enforcement measures, they need answers, and clarity around how the rules will work,” Mr Cameron said.
A state government spokesperson stated that businesses needed to take reasonable steps to enforce the new restrictions and any problems with patrons would be moved on to the police.
A full list of the new measures for both individuals and businesses can be found via –