General News
11 April, 2020
Changes to two person rule
Queensland Health has announced a new range of measures aimed at halting the spread of COVD-19
Changes to the two-person rule
Queensland Health has announced a new range of measures aimed at halting the spread of COVD-19. These rules replace the previous rules that were announced in March.
Along with enforcing the two-person limit, residents are now only allowed to leave their home for one of eight essential reasons. These are:
Obtaining food or other essential goods or services
Obtaining medical treatment or other healthcare services
Engaging in physical exercise, either alone or in the company of no more than one other person; or in the company of a family group who ordinarily live in the same household
Performing work on behalf of an employer that is engaged in essential business, activity or undertaking, and the work to be performed is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s principal place of residence
Visiting a terminally ill relative or to attend a funeral
Providing assistance, care or support to an immediate member of the person’s family
Attending any court of Australia or to comply with or give effect to orders of the court
Attending a childcare facility, school, university or other educational institution, to the extent care or instruction cannot reasonably be obtained in the person’s principal place of residence
This means if someone leaves their house for an essential reason, such as exercise, they can be joined by only one other person or the members of their household.
On Thursday, Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said that inside a person’s home they’re allowed to have all the members of the household and two guests. The Premier said this amendment was intended to help families who may not all live in the same home to stay connected and those who live alone are now allowed to have one or two social guests.
Queensland Health clarified the Premier's announcement with a written statement:
“A person who leaves their principal place of residence for a permitted purpose may be accompanied by members of their household or, alternatively, by no more than one person who is not a member of their household. Examples of visitors – Family members and close friends.”
Queensland police officers will be able to issue on-the-spot fines of $1,334.50 for individuals and $6,672.50 for corporations, who breach these laws.
