Queensland's Health Minister says the state has reached "a new stage of the pandemic" and authorities will move to change its approach to managing COVID-19.
Yvette D'Ath announced daily reporting of COVID statistics would be wound back and a blanket COVID-19 vaccine mandate direction for private health care workers would be lifted.
She also flagged she would introduce a bill to parliament on Thursday that would "adjust Queensland's pandemic management approach" after October 31.
"While our methods of managing the pandemic will change, the message remains the same: vaccinations save lives," she said.
She also told parliament that from this week, Queensland Health would report COVID case numbers daily from Monday to Friday with no reporting on weekends.
Authorities last month declared the state had passed its third Omicron wave.
"As we continue to transition to living with COVID we will continue to ensure that our decisions are guided by the best health advice," she said.
The changes come a day after national cabinet announced people who test positive for COVID-19 would only be required to isolate for five days from September 9.
Workers in high-risk settings such as disability and aged care, and people still displaying symptoms would be required to keep to the seven-day isolation period.
Support payments for people required to isolate will also be reduced from the same date, and requirements to wear masks on domestic flights would also be dropped.
The current pandemic leave payment of $750 is scheduled to end on September 30, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said late yesterday that conversations on whether to extend that payment were continuing.
Mr Albanese said he and state and territory leaders believed the relaxed rules were a "proportionate response at this point in the pandemic".
Private hospital vaccine mandates removed
Ms D'Ath also announced Queensland was set to lift a blanket COVID-19 vaccine mandate direction for private health care workers, meaning decisions around vaccination in those settings would be up to employers.
The changes – taking effect tomorrow – will not impact Queensland Health facilities or workers in private aged care and disability accommodation services, where the mandate will remain.
Ms D'Ath said while Chief Health Officer John Gerrard had recently warned a fourth wave in December was possible, it was "clear we are in a new stage of the pandemic".
"Given that we will be living with this virus for years to come, we need to transition away from managing via Chief Health Officer public health directions unless it is absolutely necessary," she said.
She said the revocation of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for workers in private health care settings would impact workers in private hospitals and primary care settings like GP clinics.
"Whether vaccination is required for these individuals is now a matter for individual employers as part of normal work place health and safety obligations," she said.
"I'm advised that the majority of private hospital providers have already put in place vaccination requirements for their workforce rather than relying on public health directions."
Queensland's medical lobby says a uniform approach to vaccination mandates in the healthcare sector should stay.
Australian Medical Association Queensland vice-president Nick Yim said it would put pressure on small business owners.
"This probably adds a little bit of confusion to the healthcare sector considering we're mandating vaccinations in the public health sector, but we're leaving it up to small business and the owners in the private sector," he said.
"Healthcare workers under both sectors should be under the same legislation.
"Healthcare workers, public and private, are working with the most vulnerable part of the community who are unwell.
"Whilst there's a bit of a lull — and obviously it's positive to see less people getting infected — we can't be complacent … we feel that the pandemic is far from over."
