Three-step roadmap to COVIDSafe Australia
On Friday 8 May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a three-step plan to ease restrictions over the coming weeks and months. This framework will see 850,000 jobs restored with the goal of restoring the economy.
“So many Australians are hurting right now because of painful separation from their loved ones,” Mr Morrison said.
“Livelihoods that they’ve spent a lifetime building that’ve been stripped away, and the uncertainty about their futures and their family’s future. Be encouraged that we are successfully making our way through this difficult battle, and we’re certainly doing it better than many and most. We have been fighting the virus and we are winning.”
Each State and Territory will use this roadmap as a guideline to ease restrictions but will ultimately implement the measures at different times based on the number of cases in each jurisdiction. There isn’t a set timeline and the plan will be reviewed every three weeks by the National Cabinet.
States respond to three-step roadmap
QLD
Restrictions are starting to ease following the three-step roadmap in Queensland and now up to five people from the same home visit another household.
From Saturday 16 May, retail shopping, wedding and personal training sessions will be allowed for up to 10 people, and funerals of up to 20 people inside or 30 outside. Pools, beauty salons, libraries and restaurants will reopen, and home inspections and auctions will resume. Up to 10 people at a time can dine in at restaurants, pubs, licensed clubs, RSL clubs and hotels, however bars and gaming facilities will remain closed. Recreational travel for day trips will be increase from 50km to 150km from your home.
Rural and regional towns in Queensland that have had no COVID-19 cases will be able to reopen with up to 20 locals allowed to dine in at pubs and cafes.
School students will start heading back to school today (11 May) with children enrolled in kindy, prep and years 1, 11 and 12 to be the first to return.
NSW
There will be no further changes in New South Wales this week. Some restrictions have been eased with schools to resume some face-to-face learning from today (11 May), property auctions and inspections will return and there’s increased retail activity. Two adults and their children can now visit another household anywhere across the State.
Victoria
Premier Daniel Andrews has had a similar response to New South Wales saying strict social distancing rules will remain until the end of the month. He will announce any changes in a press conference this week.
SA
From today (11 May) outdoor sports training will resume along with outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants. Universities and TAFE colleges will be allowed to resume face-to-face learning and swimming pools, places of worship and libraries can reopen. Social distancing measures will still be in place limiting 10 people at a time in these places. South Australia will allow up to 20 people to attend indoor funerals and up to 30 people outdoors.
More restrictions are set to me lifted from 8 June 8 with the likes of cinemas, theatres and gyms expected to reopen then.
Tasmania
From today (11 May), the Tasmanian Government will allow up to 20 people at funerals and residents will be able to return to parks within 30km of their home. The restrictions around aged care visits will be eased with two visitors allowed once a week. The Premier will announce further changes later this week.
WA
Western Australia’s interstate border will remain shut until the number of coronavirus cases on the East Coast falls to “virtually zero”. With only nine active cases remaining in the State, the West Australian Government has eased many restrictions and is focussed on stimulating the economy.
“WA has the opportunity to be more economically progressive perhaps than other States,” Premier Mark McGowan said. “We can potentially loosen restrictions to a great degree than the Eastern States, but that’s a decision the State Disaster Council will make.”
NT
The NT has experienced fewer cases than other Australian States, therefore Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced most restrictions on business and community activities will be lifted by early June. Businesses are still required to complete a safety plan to ensure social distancing and good hygiene practices remain after restrictions are lifted.
