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No Queensland mask mandate yet, but ‘we’ll let you know’ – Premier

Some states and territories are weighing up whether to reintroduce mask mandates, as Covid-19 cases spiral across the country.

Jul 05, 2022, updated Jul 05, 2022
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane, Friday, July 16, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane, Friday, July 16, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

As more transmissible strains of the Omicron variant emerge, discussions are under way in jurisdictions as to what measures could be used to curtail its spread.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palasczuk said talks were ongoing on whether mask rules would return in some settings in the Sunshine State.

“We are not doing a mask mandate, but there are discussions happening about urging people in certain situations to wear masks,” she said.

“If anything changes, we will let the public know.”

Meanwhile, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said a mask mandate was not being ruled out as a suggestion.

However, she indicated that other options were being considered.

“There is a view that mandatory mask requirements might not be as effective as they have been in the past, partly because those people who are willing to wear masks are already doing so,” she said.

“Some of those settings where we’re seeing transmission you wouldn’t be required to wear a mask anyway, so all of those things needs to be balanced as we move through this winter period.”

There were 26 deaths from Covid recorded on Monday, as the national death toll passed 10,000 earlier this month.

Hospitalisations have also reached 3511 across the country, the highest levels since February during the height of the Omicron wave.

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Nearly 30,000 infections were reported nationally on Monday alone, with experts warning case numbers will climb even further as winter progresses.

Despite the rise in cases, border restrictions that were brought in as a result of the pandemic will be enforced for their last day on Tuesday.

Changes to the Biosecurity Act will come into effect on Wednesday, with international arrivals no longer needing to declare their vaccination status to enter the country.

The decision was welcomed by Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Dean Long, who said the move was a critical step for the industry.

“Removing these last requirements will help reduce delays in airports and make it easier for Australians coming back home,” he said.

“With school holidays underway or about to kick off in many states and territories, and a rapidly growing number of Australians keen to escape the Australian winter, the pressure on our airports and airport staff is huge.”

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