New face mask requirements for Queenslanders

Face mask requirements from 5pm AEST Monday 29 March 2021

In all areas of Queensland you must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home, unless you have a lawful reason not to. You must wear a mask in indoor spaces, such as:

• shopping centres, supermarkets, retail outlets and indoor markets
• hospitals and aged care facilities
• hospitality venues such as restaurants and cafés (not required for patrons while seated; customer‑facing staff only)
• churches and places of worship
• libraries
• indoor recreational facilities and gym (except if doing strenuous exercise*)
• indoor workplaces (where safe to wear a mask and you can’t physically distance)
• public transport, taxis and rideshare, and waiting places or queues for this transport
• when you are in a Queensland airport
• during a domestic commercial flight
• if you are arriving to Queensland from overseas or from a COVID-19 hotspot you must wear a face mask while travelling from the airport until you reach your allocated room in your quarantine accommodation
• if you are a driver of a bus, coach service, taxi or rideshare transporting a person required to quarantine.

*Strenuous exercise is exercise in or above the aerobic zone including high-intensity interval training, cycling, running.

It is strongly recommended you wear a mask when outdoors if you are unable to stay more than 1.5m distance from other people, such as busy walkways and thoroughfares.

There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:

• children under 12
• a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
• where visibility of the mouth is essential
• where a mask needs to be removed to clearly communicate
• a person with a particular medical condition or disability
• a person undergoing medical treatment
• if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity purposes
• if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
• for emergencies or when allowed by law
• in any circumstances when it’s not safe to wear a mask.

Face masks alone will not protect you from COVID-19. Social distancing is the gold standard of COVID-19 prevention methods, coupled with washing your hands regularly.

We understand there are situations where you may not be able to maintain social distancing. Keep a mask with you, so that if you get into one of those situations, you have some added protection. When attending a big event or travelling on public transport we strongly recommend you wear a mask especially when entering, exiting or moving through areas where lots of people are gathered.

How to wear a mask

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub (made up of over 60% alcohol or 70% isopropanol) before you put on your mask.
2. Hold the mask by its tapes or loops, then tie the mask around your head or put the loops around your ears.
3. Make sure the mask completely covers your mouth and nose, and that there are no gaps between your face and the mask. If you are using a surgical mask, press the nose piece around your nose.

If you are using a mask with ear loops, you can use a plastic clip or tie to join the ends together at the back of your head to make sure it fits securely on your face.

Make sure that your mask does not have holes or a valve, as if you have COVID-19, you can breathe out the virus.

Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth or the front of the mask while wearing it.

If the mask gets soiled or damp, replace it with a new one.

Dispose of a single-use mask correctly

When disposing of a mask, put it in a sealable bag to ensure the used mask won’t be touched by others. Then put the sealed bag in the bin.

Always clean your hands immediately after removing your mask and putting it in the bin.

Recommended types of face masks or other face coverings

The best face mask is a single-use surgical mask – you can purchase these at pharmacies. If you are unable to get a surgical mask, any paper or cloth masks are fine to use. The most effective cloth masks are made up of at least 3 layers.

Make your own cloth mask

You can make your own cloth mask. Read more: How to make a cloth mask (PDF).

Washing a reusable cloth face mask

Cloth masks should be washed after every use.

They can be washed in the washing machine with other clothes, or handwashed using soap and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth. Dry the cloth mask in the clothes dryer or in fresh air before you re-use it.

Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub (made up of over 60% alcohol or 70% isopropanol) after handling used face masks.

How often to change your face mask

You cannot re-use surgical masks.

You can wash and re-use cloth masks. It is a good idea to have at least two, so you will always have a clean one available.

On a single trip away from home there might be times when you can’t stay 1.5 metres away from other people and wear a mask, and times when you can maintain the distance and don’t need to wear a mask. For instance, you might take crowded public transport to and from work, but at work be able to maintain appropriate distancing.

Don’t re-use the same mask to go home that you used on the trip to work. Throw used surgical masks in the bin or store used cloth masks in a plastic bag until you can wash them.

Re-using a cloth mask without washing it is risky, because it can become contaminated or may not be as effective in protecting you. For each new situation put on a clean mask. Carry your clean masks in a plastic or paper bag to keep them clean.

Find more information & and the answers to common Q&A questions here