How states are easing coronavirus restrictions

PM Scott Morrison has announced the lifting of the 100-person cap on people at some venues. This is how the states are reacting.

The 100-person cap on venues will be removed and replaced with the four square metre rule as part of step three of the easing of restrictions, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed today.

Mr Morrison said venues with a capacity of less than 40,000 people will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 patrons for indoor and outdoor events including for funerals, sporting and cultural events.

It’s expected that step three will be undertaken in July, with South Australia already announcing it will introduce the new rule on June 29.

Mr Morrison announced the change after meeting with premiers and chief ministers at today’s National Cabinet meeting.

The PM said there were still issues to be addressed regarding access to bars and other common areas where people gather, but as long as people attended a ticketed event and they were seated, these sorts of gatherings would be able to take place.

However, the relaxation of restrictions won’t apply to large folk festivals where people “roam around” from tent to tent.

Coronavirus restrictions are being slowly lifted in Australia.

“That of course would extend to outdoor festivals where they are ticketed and where they have seated,” he said.

“That is not something that is being talked about here,” Mr Morrison said.

“It would have to be a large, open area. There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance. It would need to be ticketed, and so people would be able to understand who was in attendance at that event.”

Unfortunately the new rule won’t apply to nightclubs either.

“I wouldn’t anticipate those venues opening any time soon,” Mr Morrison said.

For venues with a capacity of more than 40,000 people, Mr Morrison said he expected there would be “discrete approval” that would be worked out with the chief health minister in each state or territory.

This is how each Australian state is implementing the changes:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Shortly after the PM’s statement, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced the state would bring forward stage three restrictions to Monday, June 29.

SA was originally due to move to stage three from July 3, which would have allowed a cap of 100 people to gather.

However, Mr Marshall said the cap would be removed, as per the PM’s announcement, and replaced with the one person per four square metre rule.

Mr Marshall also announced South Australia would lift all interstate border restrictions.

From July 20, Australians travelling interstate to South Australia will no longer need to undertake two weeks of quarantine.

QUEENSLAND

Interstate travel into Queensland will likely be allowed from July 10.

The Queensland Government’s roadmap states interstate travel will be permitted and a maximum of 100 people will be allowed at gatherings from July 10.

Unlimited travel and overnight stays within Queensland are already allowed throughout the state.

Mr Morrison said today, following National Cabinet, that states needed to open their borders before international travel could be resumed.

“I would like to make one thing very clear to the states and territories today,” he said.

“If you cannot come to your state from Sydney then no-one is coming to your state from Singapore. So if you want borders open for international students then you need to open borders for Australians.”

NSW

From 13 June, food courts will be allowed to reopen in NSW.

The number of people allowed to visit homes will increase from 5 to 20 and outdoors will increase from 10 to 20.

Fitness, gyms, pilates, yoga and dance studios will be allowed to reopen with up to

10 people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue.

Community centres, including their recreational facilities will also reopen.

Some indoor recreational facilities including pools and saunas can reopen with restricted numbers.

Tattoo and massage parlours can reopen with up to 10 clients.

There are no border restrictions in NSW.

VICTORIA

The state of Victoria is continuing a gradual easing of restrictions that began at the end of May.

The government’s current advice is that from 21 June, 50 patrons will be allowed in enclosed spaces.

Currently, gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed in homes.

Premier Daniel Andrews is yet to comment on the Prime Minister’s latest announcements.

There are no current restrictions on interstate travel into Victoria.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mr Morrison said Western Australia may be the only state not to lift its border controls in July.

The government’s three-phase plan aims to have all states and territory borders lifted in July.

Western Australia will next enter stage four of its roadmap. No details of that stage have yet been announced but the government says its hard border closure will not be lifted without advice from the Chief Health Officer and Police Commissioner.

The state currently allows non-work indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people per single undivided space, and up to 300 people in total per venue over multiple spaces.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Under current rules in the Northern Territory, people can play sport, attend cinemas and theatres and pubs. They can also access beauty therapy, cosmetic services and tattoo parlours. A full list of allowed activities is available here.

All people entering the Northern Territory are currently required by law to quarantine for 14 days at a designated location.

Major events and public gatherings of over 500 people must submit a COVID-19 Event Safety Plan and receive formal approval from the Northern Territory Chief Health Officer.

Events and public gatherings of less than 500 people must submit a plan prior to the event and it does not need approval from a health officer.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

There are currently no restrictions on cross-border restrictions in the Australian Capital Territory

From 19 June slightly larger gatherings will be allowed and more businesses, services and community activities will reopen.

The government says higher risk activities will continue to have tighter restrictions.