Life moves towards normal as COVID restrictions ease
02 July 2020
Ipswich residents can look forward to another easing of restrictions from noon Friday, 3 July, a week earlier than expected, as Ipswich City Council responds with an increase in the number of people having access to council services.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it is time for Ipswich to get back to a new normal and support local business.
“I am delighted the Ipswich community can head back out and more people can visit our libraries, Ipswich Art Gallery and attend a show at the Ipswich Civic Centre and support local business,” she said.
“Stage 3 means we can open the doors to tourists again and rebuild confidence in the community.
“We are asking people to still maintain social distancing and stay home if you are feeling unwell.”
Stage 3 changes give residents more freedom to travel, participate in more activities and hold to larger gatherings.
Businesses smaller than 200 square metres, can have one person per 2 square metres up to 50 people at a time.
Larger businesses maximum number of customers at any one time is determined by the 4 square metre rule.
Under Stage 3, weddings, funerals and private gatherings will be allowed to have 100 family and friends attend.
The Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich Civic Centre and Ipswich Libraries will determine visitor numbers by the one person per 4 square metre rule.
The Ipswich Civic Centre is recommencing by presenting a series of eight performances under the banner of 2020 Take 2 with Irish band Sasta being the first show on Saturday 18 July.
The Ipswich Art Gallery will increase capacity per session to the 4 square metre rule on Monday, 13 July and will maintain the time-base booking platform and procedure introduced in Stage 2.
To the delight of animal lovers, the Ipswich Nature Centre will also reopen to the public from Friday 10 July with visitor numbers limited to allow for the approved social distancing requirements.
Small group visits are available to be booked through the Visitor Information Centre during the current school holidays.
This will give the animals a chance a re-acquaint themselves with the public in progressive stages.
The Free Plant Program has resumed from the Queens Park Nursery, with homeowners and renters entitled to six free plants each financial year.
The Bob Gamble Park water splay play area has reopened and Orion Lagoon will reopen on 13 July.
Local sport will start to resume for organisations following a COVID Safe Industry Plan including competition as physical contact is permitted on the field of play.
Major Queensland sporting facilities will be allowed up to 25,000 spectators with a COVID Safe Plan.
Travel is also back on the cards with boarders opening to all states except Victoria where community transmission levels of COVID-19 remain high.
Businesses may have more than the maximum number of customers determined by the 4 square metre rule in a venue if they are in compliance with an applicable COVID Safe Industry or COVID Safe Site Specific Plan that has been approved by Queensland Health
Physical distancing rules still apply, wherever possible people should remain 1.5 metres away from people they don’t live with and COVID Safe Checklists continue to apply.
Council’s easing of restrictions is being staged in accordance with the conditions and timeframes directed by the State Government, announced by the Premier on May 8.
Council will continue to be guided by the National Cabinet and State Government in relation to COVID-19 as the health and well-being of our community remains the number one priority.