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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced a major easing of the state's Coronavirus restrictions from next week, which, as of 4pm on 17th November will allow seated, ticketed venues such as indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, live music venues, theatres and  cinemas to increase capacity from 50% to 100% capacity.

The move will allow Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to welcome a capacity crowd of 52,500 for Wednesday’s State of Origin decider.

With Premier Palaszczuk announcing that venues with a COVIDSafe Plan will be able to operate at full capacity as of Tuesday, Suncorp Stadium, which first allowed back crowds of up to 2,000 in June, will be able to operate with its full seated capacity.

Despite the easing, Suncorp Stadium has asked fans to ensure safety by wearing a mask unless they are seated and to remain within the zone allocated on their ticket to minimise circulation. Cashless only payments will be in use for food and beverage and merchandise.

Outdoor events can increase attendance from 1,000 to 1,500 with a COVIDSafe Event Checklist, while larger events require a COVIDSafe Plan.

For all venues, patrons will be required to wear masks on entry and exit, while performers can reduce distance from audience from 4 metres to 2 metres, except choirs which remain at 4 metre from the audience.

Restrictions on indoor premises such as cafes, restaurants, places of worship and art galleries will lift from one person per 4 metre², to one person per 2 metre².

Premier Palaszczuk said the changes were in line with advice provided by Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young and due to the "great work of Queenslanders".

Newly appointed Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the move would be significant for the economy, businesses and the tourism industry, commenting “this is going to be very big and support many jobs in Queensland ... because it will allow many venues to double in capacity.

"In easing these restrictions, it does increase the risk - so we want all venues and businesses to make sure they are proactively engaging with patrons.”

Welcoming the easing measures, Queensland Performing Arts Trust Chief Executive, John Kotzas said the winding back of restrictions was "extremely exciting" and would boost confidence in the industry across Australia.

Kotzas told the ABC “being able to open up to 100% gives us our purpose back so it's extremely exciting.

"Everyone in the building wants to be drinking champagne at the moment, but there's still work to be done."

The changes will not see the Queensland border reopen for Greater Sydney and all of Victoria, although Premier Palaszczuk noted the “national aspiration … to have the borders open before Christmas.”

Premier Palaszczuk also revealed that 2,000 seats at the Origin decider would be handed out to nurses, police, doctors "and those who have kept us safe this year".

Click here to view Queensland's latest easing measures which apply from 4pm on 17th November 2020.

Images: State of Origin action at Suncorp Stadium (top, courtesy of Suncorp Stadium), Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (middle) and the Queensland Performing Arts Trust (below).

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