Freedoms soon for vaccinated Queenslanders

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says all COVID-19 restrictions will end for hospitality and entertainment venues once the state hits 80 per cent, or December 17 at the latest.

From that date, only venues where all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated will be legally allowed to operate in Queensland.

"This is both a reward for the fully vaccinated and a precaution for when the borders open and we will see more cases in our community," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters on Tuesday.

"And people deserve to know that they can go to these places and that they are safe."

Restrictions will be dropped at pubs, cafes and restaurants to cinemas, theatres and stadiums and guest limits will be scrapped at weddings.

The state's check-in app will be updated on November 19 to allow people to add their vaccination status to their profiles.

Venues without proof that all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated won't not be allowed to operate.

Unvaccinated people will be banned from all hospitals, aged and disability care facilities and prisons.

The only exceptions to the ban will be for childbirth, emergency situations or end of life visits.

Businesses welcomed the plan, saying it gives them clarity ahead of state borders reopening.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland's Amanda Rohan says businesses want guidelines on what will happen when infectious cases hit their venues, and on using rapid antigen testing.

"While it means businesses can now get back to work preparing for the reopening, there are still some things outstanding they need more information and clarity on," she said.

Queenslanders can also ditch face masks once 80 per cent of residents have had one dose of a vaccine later this week.

Commonwealth figures show at least 79.84 per cent of Queenslanders 16 years and over have had their first dose, and 67.84 per cent are double dosed.

Currently, masks must be carried at all times and worn when people can't socially distance in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Lockyer, Somerset, Logan, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gold Coast and Scenic Rim.

They're also mandatory on public transport, when arriving and leaving venues and stadiums, and at schools for students and teachers when they are not seated or teaching.

The mandate will remain in force in all airports and on planes in Queensland, in line with federal rules.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Peter Aitken said mask mandates could be enforced in low-vaccination regions if there were outbreaks once the borders reopen.

Queensland recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and one in hotel quarantine after 8121 tests.

Australian Associated Press