Road to recovery: The 10 big questions SA is asking
When can I go to the pub again, or exercise at the gym? These are the 10 burning questions South Australians are asking as Australia charts its way out of lockdown– here’s what we know so far.
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It’s the day Australia has been waiting for: National Cabinet today outlined a blueprint for the nation to get back to normality. These are the 10 burning questions South Australians will be looking for clarity on.
1. When will social distancing be phased out?
One of the elements of restrictions that has been regulated across the country, including South Australia, is that strangers keep 1.5 metre distance between them.
When social distancing can be phased out can have a huge impact on a raft of areas, from restaurants to retail trade.
Answer -
Social distancing is still a strong requirement across the first two phases of the road map back to recovery. People are being encouraged to keep their distance when visiting shops, friends, family members outside of their own home and in restaurants and cafes. The requirement that people be limited to one person for every four square metres remains for the near future. South Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Nicola Spurrier has suggested physical interaction with strangers, outside your immediate family, should be avoided.
2. When will mass gathering restrictions be lifted?
Mass gathering restrictions were among the first to be put in place in March, and are likely to be among the last to be lifted. Gatherings of more than 500 people such as live sporting matches or concerts may be months away.
Answer -
From June 8 in South Australia the State Government hope to lift gatherings from a maximum of ten to 20. Larger gatherings are expected to be considered in late June or early July. Increasing gathering sizes to 100 people in the first instance is part of the Federal Government’s stage three recommendations.
3. When can I travel again?
Intrastate travel will be the first option for South Australians looking for a getaway. Domestic travel will be determined by each state and territory’s handling of the coronavirus. International travel is expected to be the last thing on the table, although safe destinations like New Zealand seem much more likely than the United States or the United Kingdom.
Answer -
South Australians will be encouraged to travel out into the regions, and to go caravanning and camping, from Monday. Selected domestic borders could be opened in July. In South Australia the first domestic borders to be opened are expected to be West Australia and the Northern Territory. Premier Steven Marshall and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have both spoken about lifting some restrictions so that international students could travel to SA for university study. International travel is seen as a long way off. Travel to Pacific Islands and New Zealand are expected to be the first international restrictions to be lifted.
4. When can we exercise again with strangers?
All indoor health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres have been banned from opening in South Australia. But SA has had much more relaxed restrictions on physical activity outside (with social distancing), including boot camp type classes with up to 10 people, going hiking or bike riding in national parks, or surfing.
Answer -
South Australians will be encouraged to start training, in groups of ten or less, in non-contact outdoor sports from Monday. From June 8 the State Government want to open gyms and indoor fitness centres with distancing requirements. It would also like to start the transition to competition for sports, including indoor sports. Spectators will still be restricted.
5. I love art and culture. When can I enjoy these things again?
All galleries, museums and libraries are closed in South Australia. But there are hopes that these cultural facilities will open soon. However, large music festivals, concerts and theatre shows are expected to take much longer. Cinemas are likely to be somewhere in between.
Answer -
Cinemas, theatres, galleries and museums will be able to open in South Australia on June 8 in groups of no more than 20. Local government libraries will be able to open on Monday. Stadiums and large entertainment venues will be part of stage three considerations. Music and arts festivals will also be considered as part of stage three.
6. I love the Crows and my mate loves the Power, when can we go to Adelaide Oval to watch them?
There is plenty of focus on when the AFL season, along with other professional sports, will be rebooted. Options under consideration for the AFL include a hub model or a modified home and away season. But the opportunity to sit with thousands of strangers at Adelaide Oval is not expected this year. On separate couches at home with mates is more likely.
Answer -
South Australians should not expect to be sitting in the stands at Adelaide Oval during this football season. Mass gathering restrictions will be one of the last restrictions to be lifted. There is little hope spectators will be allowed at Adelaide Oval for the football season this year.
7. When will I be able to return to my workplace?
We’ve all become much too familiar with video conferencing and have downloaded too many apps like Zoom or HouseParty in recent weeks, but a staged return to work for office workers is likely in the next few weeks. Workers could be divided into teams to be at the office on different days or on staggered start times for their shifts. Social distancing rules, like desks or workstations further apart, and no meetings in small rooms are expected. The government is expected to provide advice for different sectors such as factory work.
Answer -
South Australians will be encouraged to work from their home if it is appropriate to do so. The National Cabinet suggested a full return to workplaces should not be considered until stage three..
8. When can I catch up with my friends for dinner and then a drink at the pub?
Pubs, cafes and restaurants are likely to reopen for small numbers of people initially, with social distancing and strict cleaning measures in place. It could be within a matter of weeks or the next month. The restrictions are likely to be lifted in a reverse of how they were implemented, with something akin to the one person per four square metres rule or fewer than 100 people in a venue at one time.
Answer -
Alfresco dining can start from Monday. Seating indoor dining is expected to start on June 8.
Having a beer at the bar is not expected to be considered for at least three weeks because licenced pubs and bars are in stage three considerations for SA..
9. When will my beauty salon or massage parlour reopen?
Hairdressers and barbers have been able to remain open throughout the virus shutdown, after the bizarre 30-minute haircut rule was reversed. Nail and beauty salons and massage parlours were closed as part of phase two of the shutdown, so it’s likely they will reopen after some other tougher restrictions are lifted on community sport and other outdoor activities. Given they are indoors and require customers to be in close proximity to strangers, they will probably be a few weeks away yet.
Answer -
In South Australia beauty and nail saloons are expected to open on June 8 along with tattoo and massage parlours.
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10. I really miss my family. When can I see them again?
In South Australia there is nothing stopping groups of 10 or less gathering at a friend or family’s house, or in the local park. So catching up on Mother’s Day is fine, but large scale weddings are off the table. There are some restrictions on aged care facilities, imposed by the owners, but they have been encouraged to provide greater access – and they should. Concerns about limitations on funerals have been expressed by political and health leaders suggesting there could be some easing of those restrictions soon.