Coronavirus: No knees-up for most mums

Australia’s two most populous states are refusing to ease public health restrictions for Mother’s Day.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out easing restrictions before next Monday. Picture: AAP

Millions of mums are in for a quiet weekend, with Australia’s two most populous states refusing to ease public health restrictions for Mother’s Day despite an ongoing lull in the number of new coronavirus cases recorded across the country.

The premiers of Victoria and NSW — home to more than half the population — are insisting residents adhere to strict social-­distancing and movement regu­lations on Sunday when families traditionally gather to recognise all the hard work done by mothers throughout the year.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out easing restrictions before next Monday.

“Monday the 11th of May will present us with an opportunity to, as we’ve said all along, update you both on test results and on the rules that will apply, certainly for May, and indeed we may give you some indications about the thinking and of decisions out of national cabinet beyond that,” he said.

Asked whether he would consider bringing forward an easing of restrictions, Mr Andrews said he had “no announcements to make”.
A two-person limit on gatherings inside and outside the home ­applies in the state and family members who live apart are not permitted to visit one another.

Households in NSW can receive two adult visitors, plus children, at any one time. Gatherings in public of more than two people are still banned, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she did not anticipate those rules changing leading into the weekend.

“I doubt very much that NSW will be in a position to implement anything before Mother’s Day,” Ms Berejiklian said.

 

“We will be able to visit them, two adults and children at any one time, and of course that can happen multiple times a day.”

Queenslanders will be able to visit other households in groups of five from Sunday, even where the destination is further than the ­existing 50km travel limit.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein on Thursday flagged an imminent relaxing of restrictions on outdoor gatherings. He is due to announce specifics on Friday.

Groups of up to 10 can participate in outdoor recreational activities and meet indoors in Western Australia.

In SA, groups of fewer than 10 can meet in public, and gatherings in the home are permitted where a 4sq m rule is followed.

A 10-person limit on gathering still applies indoors and outdoors in the Northern Territory, but as from May 15 restrictions on bars, restaurants and cafes will be lifted.

The ACT last week lifted bans on travel to and from NSW, allowing two adult members of one household, plus children, to visit another household.