A number of states have announced they will ease coronavirus restrictions in the near furure, but not all.
New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT are yet to make any changes while Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory have announced changes.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has no immediate plans to lift the current restrictions., however parents will be allowed to send their children back to school when term 2 begins this week.
Social distancing still applies, as does the stay at home rule unless there is a valid reason. Full details can be found here.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Parks and reserves across the Northern Territory will reopen from the weekend as Chief Minister Michael Gunner begins lifting restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19.
Full details on the NT's restrictions can be found here.
QUEENSLAND
Some restrictions in Queensland have been eased.
From 11.59pm Friday, May 1, Queenslanders will be able to leave their homes for recreation and the distance they can travel has been extended.
For example, Queenslanders will be able to enjoy some relief from stay-at-home rules and:
- Go for a drive;
- Ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for pleasure;
- Have a picnic;
- Visit a national park; and
- Shop for non-essential items
But there are three conditions that apply linked to the above:
- Social distancing and hygiene must be maintained
- You have to stay within 50km of home and
- Outings are limited to members of the same household or an individual and one friend
All other rules including gatherings and limits on visitors remain in place during this time.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australian schools have re-opened for term two but parents are free to keep their children at home with all schools providing remote learning options.
Ninety-four per cent of people with the virus in South Australia have now recovered with no new cases in the past four days.
The state government is acting on advice from health authorities, and Acting Chief Medical Officer Mike Cusack said the state isn't ready to ease restrictions.
TASMANIA
Other than the tough restrictions on retailers and travel in the state's North-West being extended three days ago, little has changed in Tasmania.
The restrictions, which saw the closure of all non-essential businesses across eight North-West and West Coast municipalities, were due to expire on Sunday but on the advice of health authorities have now been extended until May 3.
Tasmania also has specific restrictions in place for hospitals and residential aged care facilities to ensure the safety of patients and residents.
VICTORIA
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Monday Victoria will not follow in the footsteps of other states in easing some social distancing measures.
Under Stage 3 restrictions, which came into effect at 11:59pm Monday, March 30, a direction to stay home is now enforceable.
Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms are closed.
If people breach these directions, they face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.
In Victoria, there are only four reasons to be out:
- shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies
- medical, care or compassionate needs
- exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
- work and study if you can't work or learn remotely
Mr Andrews said these restrictions will be reviewed on May 11.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Based on health advice, from Monday, April 27, indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed at:
- weddings and funerals
- outdoor personal training (no shared equipment)
- home opens and display village inspections
If a single household has more than 10 people, that household remains exempt from this new rule.
All other restrictions remain in place for now:
- all public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment will remain closed
- restaurants, cafés, food vans, food courts and road houses remain restricted to takeaway and home delivery.
Everyone should continue to practise appropriate social distancing and stay home, except for:
- shopping for what you need, such as food or other necessary supplies
- medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements
- exercise, including outdoor personal training (up to 10 people) without shared equipment
- work, training or university, where remote learning is unavailable
- childcare or school
- non-contact recreational activities such as private picnics in the park, fishing, boating, hiking and camping all in compliance with travel restrictions and the 10-person rule
- home opens and display village openings, with appropriate record keeping and hygiene practices in place and in compliance with the 10-person rule.
- WA remains in a State of Emergency and various restrictions are enforceable by fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for businesses. Police officers also have the power to issue $1,000 on-the-spot fines.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
A fortnight ago Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he would be "surprised" if restrictions were eased in April but the current measures will be reviewed at the end of the month.
He said any changes to social distancing measures would be in line with advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee but the ACT would move "in concert and in discussion" with NSW.
More details can be found here.
Janine Graham
Onetime sports reporter, chief-of-staff, editor and national digital news editor. Email me: janine.graham@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Onetime sports reporter, chief-of-staff, editor and national digital news editor. Email me: janine.graham@austcommunitymedia.com.au
