The Queensland Health Department advised that from 5pm Monday 29th March, in all areas of Queensland you must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as:
- shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and indoor markets
- hospitals and aged care facilities
- hospitality venues such as restaurants and cafés (not required for patrons while seated; customer‑facing staff only)
- churches and places of worship
- libraries
- indoor recreational facilities and gym (except if doing strenuous exercise*)
- indoor workplaces (where safe to wear a mask and you can’t physically distance)
- public transport, taxis and rideshare, and waiting places or queues for this transport
- when you are in a Queensland airport
- during a domestic commercial flight
- if you are arriving to Queensland from overseas or from a COVID-19 hotspot you must wear a face mask while travelling from the airport until you reach your allocated room in your quarantine accommodation
- if you are a driver of a bus, coach service, taxi or rideshare transporting a person required to quarantine.
*Strenuous exercise is exercise in or above the aerobic zone including high-intensity interval training, cycling, running.
It is strongly recommended you wear a mask when outdoors if you are unable to stay more than 1.5m distance from other people, such as busy walkways and thoroughfares.
There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:
- children under 12
- a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
- where visibility of the mouth is essential
- where a mask needs to be removed to clearly communicate
- a person with a particular medical condition or disability
- a person undergoing medical treatment
- if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity purposes
- if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
- for emergencies or when allowed by law
- in any circumstances when it’s not safe to wear a mask.
Face masks alone will not protect you from COVID-19. Social distancing is the gold standard of COVID-19 prevention methods, coupled with washing your hands regularly.
Learn more.