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Bizarre exception in Queensland’s Covid rules to allow families to remove masks for photo with Santa

Bizarre exception in Queensland's Covid rules to allow families to remove masks for photo with Santa 2

Families will be allowed to remove their masks to have their picture taken with Santa in local shopping centres in an exception to Queensland’s Covid rules. 

The oddly-specific point was highlighted by Police Commissioner Mark Ryan during a press conference on Sunday. 

Families will be required to wear a mask before and after the eagerly-anticipated photo with Santa is taken, but can take them off when the picture is being taken. 

‘So a little Christmas present, a little bit early for all those kids that want to see Santa,’ Mr Ryan told reporters. 

Families will be required to wear a mask before and after the eagerly-anticipated photo with Santa is taken, but can take them off when the picture is being taken (stock image)

Families will be required to wear a mask before and after the eagerly-anticipated photo with Santa is taken, but can take them off when the picture is being taken (stock image)

The oddly-specific omission to the rules on face-coverings was flagged by Police Commissioner Mark Ryan (pictured, shoppers in Brisbane)

The oddly-specific omission to the rules on face-coverings was flagged by Police Commissioner Mark Ryan (pictured, shoppers in Brisbane)

Queensland recorded 42 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday just days after the state reintroduced mask mandates. 

Residents must wear a face-covering when visiting all shops, hospitals, aged care facilities, public transport, rideshare vehicles, and airports.

‘I’m asking Queenslanders once again, it’s a small price to pay for your freedoms,’ Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday. 

‘We’re doing this to slow the spread of the virus… we know Christmas is the busiest time of the year for people shopping and getting ready.

‘We don’t want to see a massive escalation [in cases] over Christmas and New Year.’

Queensland has recorded 42 new cases of Covid-19 (pictured, shoppers in Brisbane)

Queensland has recorded 42 new cases of Covid-19 (pictured, shoppers in Brisbane)

Queenslanders must wear a face-covering when visiting all retail settings, hospitals, aged care facilities, public transport, rideshare vehicles and airports (pictured, shoppers in Cairns)

Queenslanders must wear a face-covering when visiting all retail settings, hospitals, aged care facilities, public transport, rideshare vehicles and airports (pictured, shoppers in Cairns)

The mandate won’t apply in venues where a vaccine mandate came into effect from 5am on Friday such as cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, stadiums and theme parks. 

Masks will also not be required in outdoor settings or in workplaces. 

Ms Palaszczuk said the mandate would likely remain in place until 90 per cent of the population received two doses of a Covid vaccine.

‘We’re looking good to reach 90 per cent single dose over Christmas, and double dose some time in January,’ she said. 

Chief health officer John Gerrard said he didn’t think the mask mandate would be ‘too onerous’ for people.

Ms Palaszczuk (pictured) said the mask mandate would likely remain in place until 90 per cent of the population has received two doses of a Covid vaccine, slated to be sometime in January

Ms Palaszczuk (pictured) said the mask mandate would likely remain in place until 90 per cent of the population has received two doses of a Covid vaccine, slated to be sometime in January 

‘Mask wearing is not just about protecting yourself, it is also protect about protecting others,’ he said.

‘It works both ways, so it is a socially desirable thing to be wearing a mask and I think it’s somewhat anti-social to not be wearing a mask in crowded environments.’

Queensland continues to record an uptick in cases, with 24 reported on Saturday, 20 recorded on Friday and 22 announced on Thursday. 

The state’s chief health officer spoke at a conference from Bribie Island on Sunday where he revealed most of the new cases were only suffering from mild symptoms. 

Mr Gerrard said of the 42 new cases, 34 had been locally acquired with one unvaccinated man suffering ‘significant’ symptoms. 

Of the 42 new cases, 34 had been locally acquired with one unvaccinated man suffering 'significant' symptoms (pictured, Surfers Paradise)

Of the 42 new cases, 34 had been locally acquired with one unvaccinated man suffering ‘significant’ symptoms (pictured, Surfers Paradise)

There are no Covid patients in ICU, however predictions that the Omicron variant will become the dominant strain may see more hospitalisations. 

‘It may seem like a relatively small number but it is double what we saw 48 hours ago,’ Mr Gerrard said during the press conference on Sunday.

‘If this rate continues, we will see significant numbers in January as expected.’

He said the Sunshine State would begin to move away from the model where all Covid-positive patients are hospitalised to make room for the expected surge. 

As of Friday, 84.2 per cent of eligible Queenslanders over the age of 16 has received two doses of a Covid vaccine while 89.5 per cent have received one. 

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