Queensland's Administrative Law Response to the COVID-19 Lockdown

This report examines Queensland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of administrative law. It details the declaration of a public health emergency, the strengthening of legislation, and the implementation of various lockdown measures. The report highlights restrictions on gatherings, border controls, and the role of the Queensland government in managing the crisis. It analyzes key laws such as the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, 2020, and the ways in which parliament and administration collaborated to control the pandemic. The report also discusses the enforcement of regulations, including fines for breaches of quarantine and social distancing measures. Furthermore, it outlines the modifications made to existing laws to support the lockdown and the powers provided to administrative departments. The conclusion summarizes the effectiveness of these measures and their impact on the public.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Queensland Australia deal with current pandemic Covit-19 Lockdown.....................................1
Law to support the lockdown......................................................................................................2
Ways in which parliament and administration worked to control the pandemic........................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REREFENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Covid-19 pandemic is a global level pandemic of coronavirus disease which has affected
almost all the countries drastically. Australia is one of those countries that has also been
impacted by this Covid-19 situation. Government has taken various kinds of preventive measures
in order to control this situation. This assignment will focus upon ways in which Queensland
Australia deal with current pandemic Covit-19 Lockdown.
MAIN BODY
Queensland Australia deal with current pandemic Covit-19 Lockdown
Queensland was the first who declared Covid-19 pandemic as public health emergency
on 29th January and on 6th February this legislation was strengthened by Public health
amendment Bill, 2020. In order to deal with this Covid-19 pandemic situation Queensland had
brought time to time variations and changes within their law. In first week of April gathering of
more than 2 people were restricted, people were not allowed to leave their residence except
essential work, non-essential business activities like gym, cinema, concerts etc. were not allowed
to operate (Payne and Morgan, 2020). On 11 April all people were restricted from crossing
Queensland border only residents were allowed but with official permit. Person who has
travelled or has been in a Covid-19 hotspot is required to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days.
But as Covid-19 cases are falling slowly, some of the tightest restriction are being lifted. But
some important and basic restrictions are still required to be followed like social distancing. In
order to deal with current Covid-19 pandemic and reduce Covid-19 cases, Queensland
government has brought several changes within Lockdown rules and regulations. Government
has taken measures to restrict number of persons gathering at different places in order to deal
with the current situation. Now up to 20 people from different household can visit another home.
Government has announced that from 10 July up to 100 people can gather in a house only if the
house is big enough to accommodate 100 people. In aged care residents one visitor per day can
visit for up to 2 hours. Other than this only two people can visit for providing care and support to
aged people. Restaurants, café, hotels can reopen and accommodate 20 people at a time by
maintaining 4 square meters per person ( Hack and Brown, 2020). From 10th July up to 100
people will be allowed to accommodate but will be required to maintain 4 square meter distance.
Still entry into Queensland is prohibited until and unless person has applied for and has been
granted an exemption, but if number of cases in Queensland will still remain low till 10th July
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then it is set to open its borders from 10th July. All the other places as well this law is same i.e.
currently, they can accommodate 20 people at a time and if they can maintain 4 sq. meter
distance then they can accommodate 100 people if cases still remain low.
Law to support the lockdown
In order to support lockdown, Covid-19 situation various kinds of law have been
developed and guidelines have been released for people in order to support lockdown. Some of
the most important laws were developed by Queensland so that border entry or exit can be
controlled. Breech of quarantine laws and guidelines or breeching any kind of social distancing
measures, police have the power to impose fine up to $13,345 for individuals and $66,672 for
businesses. This power of imposing fine has helped in restricting actions of people so that
lockdown can be supported in a better manner. Covid-19 emergency response Act has been
developed for bringing modification within various Queensland laws in order to deal with the
situation and support lockdown (Payne, Morgan and Piquero, 2020). These modified laws will
expire on 31st December, 2020. One of the main laws developed to support lockdown situation
was regulations to restrict attendance at places and public places. If any person, group of people
or a business is found to disobey these public places attendance then they will be imposed fine
and if they fail to pay the fine then strict actions will be taken against them. Modifications in
time limit or time- period were also made for payments, taking decisions. For example: time
period for making any kind of important traction for people were also increased. Other than this
Commissioner was also provided with power to provide information about advisory services for
public related to small business related to Covid-19 lockdown measures.
Ways in which parliament and administration worked to control the pandemic
In order to control this pandemic both parliament and administration were working
together. Queensland parliament has introduced Covid-19 Emergency response Act, 2020. In this
act, emergency powers were passed to local administration and to other states so that covid-19
regulations can be enabled and followed. Administration have been provided a power so that
they can take some emergency actions or measures for controlling this situation. Commissioner
is providing a power to provide information about current guidelines, regulations related to
lockdown for both individuals and for business. Commissioner is responsible to provide
modification within regulations, laws and guidelines especially for individuals and for small
businesses (Payne and Morgan, 2020). Covid-19 Emergency response Act, 2020 has provided
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some powers and responsibilities to all the administration departments like Residential Tenancy
Authority are responsible for resolving any kind of dispute related to unpaid rent before
applicability of Covid-19 Emergency response Act, 2020.
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment it has been summarized that Queensland parliament and
administration has taken various kinds of measures in order to tackle with Covid-19 pandemic.
They have developed various kinds of laws, guidelines and regulations for individuals and for
businesses in order to deal with lockdown situations. They have put some restrictions for
business so that they can carry out their business but with some regulations and restrictions so
that they can control increasing number of Covid-19 cases. Government has put some restrictions
on gathering in public places or in restaurants, hotels etc. They have also made it compulsory for
business and individuals to maintain 4 square meter distance.
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REREFENCES
Books and Journals
Hack, A. and Brown, J., 2020. Legal update: COVID-19: Will my hearing go ahead?. Australian
Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association Journal. 32(2). p.33.
Payne, J. and Morgan, A., 2020. COVID-19 and Violent Crime: A comparison of recorded
offence rates and dynamic forecasts (ARIMA) for March 2020 in Queensland,
Australia.
Payne, J., Morgan, A. and Piquero, A.R., 2020. Covid-19 and social distancing measures in
queensland australia are associated with short-term decreases in recorded violent crime.
Payne, J.L. and Morgan, A., 2020. 2020 IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA.
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