After announcing another “zero day” of no new infections, and only eight in the past week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today said Queensland was “smashing of the curve” of the pandemic. The tally remains at 1,033.

“This weekend is also really crucial so I really hope that everyone acts responsibly,” Palaszczuk said.

The issue with this weekend – and the public holiday on Monday – is that restrictions are being eased and people will be required to exercise their own discretion to avoid large gatherings.

From 11.59pm Friday, Queenslanders will be able to leave their homes for recreation, for example to go for a drive or ride for pleasure, have a picnic or bushwalk, and shop for non-essential items. All activities have the potential for crowds.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the reduction in active cases of COVID-90 to fewer than 80, and no new infections, “sets us up beautifully for this weekend”.

But she reiterated that people should generally stick to household groups, or if going out alone with one other person from outside the household, stay within a 50km radius of home and keep 1.5m from others.

Major shopping centres are bracing for an influx of people allowed to do non-essential shopping, and business owners will be reminded to limit clients to one per four square metre area. Extra security guards and police will be rostered on to patrol potential hotspots, which include beaches, popular parks and Brisbane’s South Bank.

Young said people would need to be smart about their destinations and avoid any large gatherings, or leave places that feel too crowded.

“It’s actually going to be quite difficult,” Young said, conceding that the prospect of large gatherings still “concern us greatly”.

“I don’t underestimate it, because if everyone decides on Saturday they want to go buy a Mother’s Day gift for the following weekend we could have problems in our shops. So people need to use a lot of common sense.”

Health Minister Steven Miles said, “let’s not mess it up, let’s keep it up”.

National Cabinet was due to meet on Friday to discuss the rate of infection, the further easing of restrictions, and further support for mental health, sport and recreational activities and the aged care sector. Tensions over school policies, and financial stimulus, are also likely to be raised.

Before the meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “we want to keep taking steps to get our economy up and running again as much as it can be in a COVID-safe environment”.