Annastacia Palaszczuk appears to flout her OWN strict mask rules by posing at a horse race - before insisting taking a picture is a 'low risk activity'
- Annastacia Palaszczuk posed for a photo where she removed her face mask
- Incident was at Caloundra Cup race meet in Queensland on Sunday afternoon
- Queensland premier also under fire for looking to attend Tokyo Olympic Games
- Ms Palaszczuk insists she 'needs' to be in Japan to pitch for the 2032 Olympics
Annastacia Palaszczuk has been spotted posing for a photo with a punter minus a face mask - despite Queensland's strict rules about the essential attire.
The unexpected incident unfolded at the Caloundra Cup race meeting on Sunday, with the premier quickly adjusting her protective mask seconds after the happy snap.
Masks are currently mandatory for Queenslanders who have been in areas with Covid cases, such as Brisbane, at all times when out of the home.
The only exceptions are when a person is are alone in their car or with members of their household, when eating or drinking or when are alone outdoors or with members of their household.
But a Queensland Health spokesman said Ms Palaszczuk will escape the possibility of a fine as having a photo doesn't require a mask - as it is deemed a 'low risk' exercise.
'You can stand to have a photo and be close together,' the spokesperson said.
'That risk is low.'
Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) posed for a photo with a punter minus a face mask on Sunday - despite Queensland's strict rules about the essential attire in public
The bizarre incident unfolded at the Caloundra Cup race meeting on Sunday, with the premier quickly adjusting her protective mask seconds after the happy snap
The incident comes as Ms Palaszczuk declared on Monday restrictions are set to ease in the Sunshine State from 6am this Friday.
'We wanted to make sure we were giving businesses this timely advice so they can prepare, but we are going to be monitoring closely if there are further cases of community transmission,' she said.
'At this stage, fingers crossed. It is all looking terrific.'
On Tuesday, Queensland recorded two new local cases.
Last week, the premier came under fire after declaring Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates had made it 'very clear' it would be a 'disaster if the head of Queensland did not attend the Tokyo Olympics.'
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'If we are in a situation where we are in a lockdown I won't be able to attend, but the delegation is the federal sports minister, the premier and the lord mayor,' she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the trip to Japan would be exclusively to pitch for Queensland to host the 2032 Games before she returned for 14 days in hotel quarantine.
'One of the strongest pillars of the state's bid is the 'enormous co-operation' between three levels of government, she said.
It comes as a petition calling for Ms Palaszczuk to be denied the right to leave Australia has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.
'Annastacia Palaszczuk should not be allowed to steal a precious hotel quarantine space for a more deserving stranded Australia trying to return home,' the petition reads.
Her quest to attend the junket is despite thousands of Queensland residents currently being stranded overseas.
