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Restrictions imposed in response to the UK COVID-19 strain cluster in Greater Brisbane will be lifted from 1am tomorrow, 14 days after the last connected case entered hotel quarantine.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there were now just 23 active cases in the state, and the run of zero local transmission meant the local government areas (LGAs) of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton Bay could return to December roadmap conditions.
This means up to 50 people will be allowed to gather in private homes, 100 people in public spaces, and 200 at weddings or funerals, while hospitality venues such as pubs, cafes and restaurants will go back to the one patron per 2 square metre rule.
"But I also remind everyone, don't forget to continue to leave your contact details at these venues - it is absolutely critical that you do that," the Premier said.
"And of course, all guests can dance indoors and outdoors," she said, adding people will also be allowed to stand and drink on licensed premises.
Premier Palaszczuk commended people in all the affected areas for doing a terrific job.
"Because of that it means that the masks also can come off, except of course where National Cabinet has mandated that the masks must be worn in our airports and on planes," she said.
"Also too, we're asking people that you are encouraged, if you are going into a crowded area on public transport, or in a shopping centre and you can't socially distance and you feel uncomfortable, just put a mask on - you can do that, that's entirely up to you."
She described Brisbane Australia's first battleground for the new strain of the virus.
"A short, sharp shutdown was successful in keeping the movement of people and the virus to a minimum," she said.
"We followed that with the mandatory use of masks in crowded places for the 14 day incubation period.
QLD Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young highlighted the "enormous" amount of testing that had been done.
"We've not found other cases, so that is really good," she said.
"We did see those three initial cases all transmit to their closest contacts, so that gives evidence that this is a particularly infectious strain."
Dr Young also applauded the cleaner at the start of the outbreak who came forward to alert authorities of her conditions, and the ongoing support she provided to contact tracers.
Updated at 9:25am AEST on 21 January 2021.
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