Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pulled out the stick to boost the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rate by banning unvaccinated people from taverns, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, galleries, stadiums, festivals, museums from 17 December 2021. While NSW has reached the milestone of a 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate, Queensland is only just about to tick over 80 per cent first dose, with 67.3 per cent fully vaccinated.
Ms Palaszczuk announced that the state can leave masks behind once it reaches its 80 per cent double-dose target. Those who still refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be able to enter pubs, clubs, galleries, sporting stadiums, live music venues, hospitals or aged-care facilities. Unvaccinated people will only be allowed into hospitals or aged-care homes for emergencies or end-of-life visits.
Ms Palaszczuk said the changes were about rewarding those who had already been vaccinated, but many will see it as forcing the remaining 20 per cent of the population to get the jab.
Queensland has lagged all other states and territories getting vaccinated against coronavirus, partly because it has been spared large outbreaks, especially in regional areas.
Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status