Four people breached health directives in Greater Brisbane on Friday night as police handed out hundreds of free masks, Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski says.

"On three occasions those persons were actually offered the masks, refused to wear them, offered again and were given directions to go home because they shouldn't have been out," he said on Saturday.

"Police were left with no alternative but to take enforcement action, which they did."

The fourth was fined for being in an unauthorised area, and all were hit with a $1,334 fine for failing to comply with the chief health officer's directions.

Future fines for failing to wear a mask will be $200, but Mr Gollschewski said infringement notices were not yet ready to be issued.

Queensland police have adopted a "compassion and compliance approach" to mandatory masks, handing out free face coverings to people who need one.

"Police are handing out masks rather than fines - our officers have 40,000 masks that they can hand out, so I think they've got plenty.

"But we need the community to listen to the messaging and if the police officer engages with you and says, 'You need to put this mask on', you need to put the mask on, so it is a pretty good deal."

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the mask rule also applied to people in cars.

She said health officials wanted to make mask use "as simple as possible for everybody".

"When you leave your household, put it on and keep it on until you get back home.

"You should have the mask on at all times including in the car," she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there had been a fantastic response with most people wearing masks, and more than 14,700 tests in the previous 24 hours.

"Please continue to wear your mask if you are in the Greater Brisbane region. Please, everyone, stay strong and stay calm."

Australian Associated Press