From Sunday, up to five members of a household will be able to visit another household, following on from relaxations last weekend that allowed for more recreational activities close to home. There will be no limit on the number of people allowed to gather under one roof under the next round of changes, but only two households should come together. They are expected to be related.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young today said different family groups should plan to stagger their visits on Mother’s Day and individuals must still stay home if sick, wash their hands and keep their distance when in company.

“When you go and visit, because we all want to keep our mums safe – I know I do – it’s a good idea to just delay those hugs until we get all through this,” Young said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the various bans and restrictions continued to be enforced but officers would “not be knocking on people’s doors” for spot checks.

“We only really knock on people’s doors when we have complaints,” Carroll said, referring to “large parties” that have seen people – even police officers and politicians – fined for breaking the rules.

Six Queenslanders have died from COVID-19 however the number of active cases has dropped to 50, even as another two Gold Coast cases were recorded overnight, taking the statewide tally on Thursday to 1045.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the testing rate had increased, to 4665 in a day, however, Young expressed some trepidation as infection prevention measures continued to be lifted under an agreed pandemic strategy. The health system has been bolstered to respond to an increase in cases.

“I’m not happy with our level of testing, I would like to do more, and more, and more testing,” Young told reporters.

The testing numbers may reflect a decline in respiratory illness generally, and fewer cases of influenza. Nonetheless, Young implored anyone who felt sick to stay home and seek medical attention for a COVID-19 test if they showed possible symptoms.

“If everyone does that, if all five million Queenslanders commit to doing that, we will be able to steadily move towards a far more normal way of society operating,” she said, adding that social distancing would also require an ongoing commitment.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and colleagues will meet with representatives of the hospitality and tourism industry today, ahead of a National Cabinet meeting tomorrow, to determine how they might return to business.