We welcome Premier Palaszcuk's announcement this afternoon that Queensland will reopen for visitors from all states and territories except Victoria as of 10 July, while from midday this Friday 3 July small businesses will be allowed more patrons in venues under a 2sqm rule.
- Queensland will reopen it's borders to all states and territories from July 10, except Victoria due to ongoing COVID-19 community transmission concerns in Melbourne
- From midday Friday 3 July Queensland will move into some aspects of Stage 3 of the 'Roadmap to easing Queensland's restrictions'
- From this time, weddings, funerals, fitness classes, gatherings can have up to 100 people in attendance up from 20
- Larger venues such as casinos, concert halls, theatres, food courts can reopen with a COVID Safe plan
- Smaller venues below 200sqm can have one person per 2sqm at any one time
- No limits on spectators at outdoor sporting events (50% capacity or 25,000 at stadiums, whatever is the lesser)
The reopening of Queensland to all states and territories except Victoria is welcomed news for the tourism and hospitality sector and a positive step forward in recovery for an industry that's been on its knees for months. Winter is a critical time of year for our tourism sector and we look forward to welcoming back visitors from across the nation to our warmer winter days.
Timing of this announcement has been critical and it's clear the Premier has listened to the industry. If we didn’t see interstate travel recommencing within this next fortnight, our local $1.2 billion tourism industry would basically shut up shop for the rest of the year. Winter is when these businesses put the dollars in the till, but 2020 has seen them shut down, reduce capacity, and operating costs sky-rocket from implementing COVID safe requirements.
Following this announcement, the reactivation of flights from Sydney and Darwin will be essential to start seeing traffic back from these important markets. We have already today commenced conversations with AirNorth and will be partnering with the airline to deliver marketing activity into the Darwin market.
The announcement that stadiums can increase capacity up to 50% is positive news and a solid step forward in rebooting our events industry which is historically a key driver of visitation for our region.
Whilst it's a positive step in the right direction, we are still a long way from where we were pre-COVID and the road to recovery for this sector will be a long one. But today’s announcement reintroduces some key markets for us and will make business more viable with gathering numbers increased. At the moment the tourism industry locally is sitting at an average of approximately 30% occupancy, but the fast tracking of Stage 3 will provide a good boost of confidence for potential holiday makers and a much needed uplift in capacity for these businesses.
Fast-tracked Stage 3 measures include allowing:
- Limit of 20 person per venue lifted. Small businesses under 200sqm can move to the one person per 2sqm rule
- Private gatherings up from 20 to 100 people in homes
- Wedding, receptions, funerals, fitness classes attendance increases from 20 to 100
- Larger venues such as casinos, concert halls, theatres, food courts can reopen with a COVID Safe plan
- Contact indoor and outdoor community sport can recommence with an approved plan
- No limits on spectators at outdoor sporting events (50% capacity or 25,000 at stadiums, whatever is the lesser). Events of more than 10,000 people requiring a COVID Safe Event Plan approved by the Chief Health Officer. Events with fewer than 500 people can commence with no approval needed but need to follow a COVID Safe Event Checklist.
- The 4sqm rule per customer applies across the board with no ceiling, and no need to divide customers into smaller groups
- Can collect foods and drinks from a bar
Interstate travel:
- From Friday 10 July, visitors from all states and territories (ex. Victoria) can enter Queensland upon signing a border declaration
- The Premier still has large concerns about Victoria's community transmission. Due to current community transmission levels the border with Victoria will remain closed with tougher measures applying from this Friday noon.
- Anyone that has traveled to Victoria will be prevented from reentering Queensland or will have to quarantine at their own expense for two weeks in a hotel in Queensland
- If falsified information is given there will be a $4000 fine
Whilst it's unfortunate that the health situation won’t allow Victorian visitors to our region, we understand that the health of Queenslanders needs to be the priority and we look forward to welcoming Victorians back when it is safe to do so.
Click HERE for more information on this afternoon's announcement from the Premier
