The coronavirus public health emergency is legally over in Queensland.
Remember the days of tuning in to daily press conferences wondering what measures would come or go, whether travel would be restricted or if a vaccine was required to buy a beer at pub?
That chapter has now been closed by law.
The Public Health Emergency Declaration expired yesterday, and the laws that – for the past two years – made Queensland's Chief Health Officer (CHO) the most powerful person in the state, have been changed.
Today new legislation comes into effect, scaling back Chief Health Officer John Gerrard's powers – meaning he will no longer be able to close borders, order lockdowns or require mass vaccinations.
He will still be able to mandate masks, vaccination at high-risk workplaces and isolation for positive cases and close contacts.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said there was no longer a need for the CHO to possess the "extraordinary" public health powers.
But she said it was necessary Dr Gerrard retained some powers due to the "unpredictable" nature of the virus.
"So that, as normal social and economic activity resume, appropriate public health measures can be put in place if needed to address ongoing public health risks, the latest health advice and protect the health system," she told parliament.
What powers does the CHO now have?
Under the new laws, the CHO will still be able to issue mask mandates for vulnerable and high-risk settings.
He will also be able to make isolation and quarantine orders for people with the virus and symptomatic close contacts.
The CHO can also require workers in vulnerable and high-risk settings to be vaccinated.
However, those declarations can only be made to either: prevent or respond to a serious risk to the public health system or the community from COVID-19; or to enact advice from National Cabinet or national advisory bodies about the virus.
Dr Gerrard said the powers were needed in case states had to line up their rules in a national emergency.
"It not immediately apparent to me that that is likely to be required, but it is important that we have those available, particularly if it becomes a national situation," he said.
"It's not obvious that is going to happen, but it is possible we will get a new variant."
The powers will time out on October 31, 2023.
Some restrictions remain for prisons
Queensland Correctional Services (QCS) will be allowed to screen people entering correctional facilities for COVID-19 symptoms, according to the laws.
QCS will also retain the authority to deny access to people with the virus or with symptoms.
They'll be able to order masks and isolate COVID-positive or symptomatic prisoners.
What can't the CHO do now?
The CHO can no longer order border closures or order quarantine for international or domestic arrivals.
The CHO can't issue vaccination requirements for the general public.
Lockdowns can't be called.
The CHO also can't place restrictions on particular businesses or gatherings.
He can't restrict access to vulnerable facilities (eg. aged care and hospitals) unless that falls in line with a direction about isolation or quarantine, masks or vaccination.
Will we have lockdowns again?
Only in the event of a Public Health Emergency.
That's what was declared across the world at the start of the pandemic – and in Queensland on January 29, 2020.
It's why we saw things like border closures and lockdowns; it permitted restrictions to be placed on the general public which aren't allowed under normal circumstances.
So far, the CHO has issued 493 public health directives.
"But thanks to the collective efforts of Queenslanders, we didn't let the virus run rampant," Ms D'Ath said.
"It is now very clear that we are in a different stage of the pandemic."
