Following the National Cabinet’s meeting, a three-stage roadmap was announced for the easing of restrictions in Australia in an effort to restart the economy. The restrictions will differ between state and Territories pending the current community impact of COVID-19.
ACT: Swift lifting of restrictions from step one to apply from midnight on Saturday May 9, but restaurants and cafes will not reopen yet
NSW: No change yet
Queensland: Step one to apply from Saturday May 16, with further relaxations for some regional areas
WA: No change yet
SA: Step one to apply from Monday May 11, also actively encouraging regional travel including caravanning and camping
Tasmania: Some easing on funerals, aged care and outdoor exercise from Monday May 11, with step one to begin on May 18
NT: No change yet, but the Territory announced further easing of restrictions to take effect next weekend that will see people return to gyms, libraries, and dining in restaurants, cafes, and pubs.
Victoria: No change yet, but Premier will advise on Monday, May 11
Restaurants and small cafes will be among the first to open while social distancing measures are to remain in place.
Libraries, community centres, playgrounds and boot camps will re-open and people will be able to undertake local and regional travel.
The road to recovery – three-stage framework
Step 1:
• Five visitors at home, 10 in businesses and public places
• Work from home if it works for you and your employer
• Restaurants, cafes and shopping open
• Libraries, community centres, playgrounds and boot camps open
• Local and regional travel
Step 2:
• Gatherings of 20 in your home, business and public places
• Work from home if it works for you and your employer
• Gyms, beauty, cinemas, galleries and amusement parks open
• Caravan or camping grounds
• Some interstate travel
Step 3:
• Gathering sizes increased to 100
• Return to workplace
• Nightclubs, food courts, saunas open
• All interstate travel
• Consider Cross-Tasman, pacific island and international students travel
According to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, the first stage of easing restrictions is expected to boost the Australian economy by more than $3 billion per month and restore 325,000 jobs.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has reminded Australians to continue testing for coronavirus, download the COVIDSafe app and to not go into work when sick to ensure the easing of social distancing restrictions does not cause a resurgence of the virus.
When the time is right, when we know it is safe, when we have planned accordingly, we will return to our Hospo world. Fingers crossed Daniel Andrews sees the light before Monday so the State of Victoria can start its recovery.