Can I visit my family on Mother’s Day? It’s complicated

Is it OK to visit family on Mother’s Day or have a picnic in the park? It’s complicated and it depends which state you live in.

It’s hard to say what Australia will look like by May 10 but one thing is certain — Mother’s Day won’t be the same it was last year.

Each state and territory has its own laws dictating what you can and can’t do and, frankly, it can be confusing to follow.

One question that keeps popping up is, “Can I visit my family on Mother’s Day?”

It’s complicated, but the basic answer is yes — unless you live in Victoria where Daniel Andrews is refusing to budge on the state’s strict social distancing laws.

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Queensland mum Laura Hackett will be able to enjoy a picnic with her children Finn and Lulu on Mother’s Day. Picture: Brendan Radke

NEW SOUTH WALES

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced Tuesday morning that leaving the house to visit “anyone” is no longer an act that will attract the ire of police or, worse still, a fine.

“As you know, we’ve currently not allowed people to go and visit each other in their homes,” the Premier told reporters.

“From May 1, on Friday, two adults will be able to go and visit anybody else in their home on the basis of care, on the basis of reducing social isolation and everybody’s mental health.

“We know that for many people, they’ve been cooped up in their homes for a number of weeks, and with the exception of exercising, medical needs or buying what they need to or going to work, many people have been isolated in their homes.”

That means you can visit family, but don’t all rush out and do so. The Premier warned that those over 70 should continue to self-isolate because they are most at risk.

Which means people with parents over 70 should definitely not visit them if they are feeling sick — even a sniffle — and social distancing should still be observed on visits.

VICTORIA

Social visits are still banned, but those who are delivering food, providing medical care and visiting for “compassionate reasons” might get a pass. But the waters are murky.

Victoria Police issued 59 fines to people for breaching COVID-19 restrictions in the 24 hours to 11pm on Sunday, including 12 people who gathered in public and six who gathered at a property.

So, you might want to weigh up the risks before you jump in the car. After all, there’s also FaceTime.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA and NORTHERN TERRITORY

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the government was not looking at easing restrictions “any time soon” despite other states such as Western Australia relaxing their rules.

But, under current laws in South Australia it is possible to gather with as many as 10 people as long as you keep a distance of 1.5m.

“Our restrictions are actually not as severe in some respects as other states and territories,” Mr Wade told reporters.

The same applies to people in the Northern Territory.

TASMANIA

Tasmania has two sets of restrictions – statewide rules and a second set of harsher restrictions for the northwest region where there has been an outbreak that started among healthcare workers.

The region has been responsible for 10 of the state’s 11 COVID-19-related deaths and more than half of the state’s 212 cases.

There’s a social support clause that allows Tasmanians to visit loved ones two-at-a-time provided everyone is healthy and social distancing rules are adhered to.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

The Australian Capital Territory continues to report very low numbers of COVID-19 infections, with no new cases on Sunday.

There are only seven active cases out of 106 confirmed tests so far and only one person in hospital.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said some restrictions could be eased soon but wanted to stay in line with NSW as much as possible.

“Smaller family gatherings and smaller gatherings outdoors … are relatively low-risk in an environment where there are no active cases in the ACT for a two-week period,” Mr Barr said, the ABC reports.

So gathering in the park is fine, but maybe don’t have the entire family over for lunch.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Picnics, boating, hiking, camping and group exercise are back for Western Australians, and couples can now have a few more people at their wedding after the state relaxed its coronavirus restrictions.

But other restrictions related to restaurants, play equipment and travel bans remain in place.

“Our numbers may be low but we need to keep it that way,” Premier Mark McGowan told reporters.

WA recorded no new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.

QUEENSLAND

The first state to relax restrictions is putting a lot of faith in its citizens to do the right thing.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Sunday that as of midnight this Friday Queenslanders will enjoy a more relaxed form of social distancing.

They can travel to see family as long as they don’t travel more than 50km to do so, they can picnic in parks and they can shop for non-essential items.

So seeing family this Mother’s Day should be fine.