The staff and patrons on public transport will no longer be required under a public health directive to be wearing masks,” said Health Minister Yvette D’Ath.
Queensland is ending face mask requirements for people using public transport, rideshares and taxis from midnight tonight.
It follows similar decisions by state governments across Australia relaxing their pandemic measures.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Queensland will be following other jurisdictions from the end of Tuesday September 20.
“That means the staff and patrons on public transport will no longer be required under a public health directive to be wearing masks,” she said.
She also asked people to respect those choosing to continue wearing masks and gave a reminder that there are still times when masks are still required.
“I ask everyone to respect people’s individual rights to feel safe and to wear masks when they feel it appropriate,” she said.
“Of course, there are still directions if you are someone who has been isolating, after your five days, that you are requested to wear a mask for a period of time as well, and you may also be a close contact.
“We certainly encourage those people to be wearing the masks and those who feel they need to for safety reasons, and particularly if they are in that vulnerable cohort.”
Queensland Health guidelines say those who have had COVID-19 are supposed to keep a mask on when they go outside their home for five days after their isolation period ends.
Guidelines also state close contacts must do the same for five days after being with someone who had COVID.
Schools have no mask requirements, but they can have their own mask policies.
The decisions by governments to lift mask mandates has not been welcomed by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
“This is a major decision which will have consequences and it should have been done with national consensus and clear health guidance,” said the AMA president Professor Steve Robson.
“Restrictions are being loosened including time in isolation and we still don’t have any sign this was based on medical evidence. Masks and boosters are now our main line of defence.
“Many of our most vulnerable people in the community are the ones that use public transport the most.
“Masks are the last of the sensible protections and we urge people not to abandon using them.”
“This is not a well thought through decision at a time when we are still coming to understand the threat posed by long COVID to our health with evidence emerging you are more likely to develop long COVID with multiple infections.”
COVID data recently changed to being reported weekly, with the last reporting period announcing there had been 10,009 reported cases and 71 deaths between September 6-13.
