Time to mask up
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While the Toowoomba Region might not be one of the 11 local government areas named in the current South East Queensland lockdown, Mayor Paul Antonio has stressed the need for residents to understand the rules around wearing face masks.
“Our area borders the Lockyer Valley, which is part of the current lockdown, so it’s important Toowoomba residents know when they need to be wearing masks,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Being in such close proximity to our neighbours, we have a number of Toowoomba residents who travel between the two Regions every day for essential work.
“Anyone who has been to the Lockyer Valley since 1am on 31 July, or is continuing to travel there for work, must adhere to the public health directives imposed in that Region, which currently includes the mandatory use of face masks.
“When you return to the Toowoomba Region, you, and anyone within your household, must also continue to abide by those rules.
“I appreciate how difficult this may be, however, these are the rules we must adhere to while this current lockdown continues.”
United in their approach to the restrictions in place, Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan echoed Mayor Antonio’s comments, asking for patience from the community.
“First and foremost, these restrictions are about maintaining the health and safety of our residents,” Mayor Milligan said.
“Mayor Antonio and myself both share the same goal of keeping our community’s safe and the best way to do this is by wearing masks and following all advice from Queensland Health.
“Lockyer Valley residents must adhere to the stay at home orders enforced, and should only enter the Toowoomba Region for strictly essential work and Toowoomba residents should only enter our region on the same principle.
“It’s no secret Lockyer Valley residents are feeling the pinch of the uncertain climate we are currently in, and by doing the right thing and staying home we are helping to accelerate the process for restrictions to be eased as soon as it is safe to do so.
“The mateship, tenacity and resilience of our community is second-to-none and by taking shared responsibility, we will get through this – together.”
During the South East Queensland lockdown, the Queensland Health advice is that you must carry a face mask if you:
are in a locked down area, or have been in a locked down area at any time since 1am, 29 June, unless 14 days have passed since you were there; or reside in the same household as a person who has been in a locked down area at any time from 1am, 31 July 2021 until 14 days have passed since those people were in the locked down area (whichever is shorter).Outdoors
You must wear a face mask at all times when you are outside your home, including on public transport and when doing non-vigorous exercise unless:
you are alone in your car or with the members of your household you are alone in an office with the door closed you are eating or drinking you are participating in strenuous exercise it is unsafe to wear a mask.Indoors
You must wear a face mask at all times when you indoors, including workplaces, even when social distancing is possible, unless:
you are at your residence and there is no one else there except people you live with you are eating or drinking it is unsafe to wear a mask If you are an essential worker and you cannot wear a face mask due to a medical condition, you are strongly encouraged to stay at home and not go into your workplace, unless you are fully vaccinated.Remember, if you can work from home, you must work from home.
For further information on the restrictions visit www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.