You beauty! Salons to reopen as premiers lift the lockdown

Scott Morrison has lauded NSW for taking more steps to open up its economy, as the number of ­hospital cases continues to fall.

Outdoor playgrounds, skate parks and communal gym equipment will reopen from Tuesday. Picture: AP

Scott Morrison has lauded NSW for taking more steps to open up its economy, as the number of ­coronavirus cases in the nation’s hospitals continues to fall.

NSW and Victoria — the two states hardest hit by the virus — both announced the lifting of more restrictions on Sunday, while South Australia flagged it would provide more clarity about its plans on Monday.

Western Australia, where just two confirmed cases of corona­virus remain, is under growing pressure to ease its restrictions, and Premier Mark McGowan has promised an update on his government’s plans “very soon”.

NSW announced on Sunday that bars and restaurants will be able to have up to 50 patrons on site from next Monday. Regional travel for recreation will be permitted, and nail salons, beauty parlours, museums, art galleries, zoos and aqua­riums will all be allowed to reopen with various conditions.

Mr Morrison said that while he had not sought to interfere in state decisions, he praised the work of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“NSW is leading the way on this; I think they’re setting a cracking pace,” the Prime Minister said.

“Let’s not forget, NSW is the state that has been most impacted by COVID-19,” he said. “They are the state that has had the most number of cases, and many of the most challenging cases — and in many ways they are most at risk. And they’re moving ahead.”

The moves by the various states come as the number of people being treated for coronavirus in ­intensive care across the country fell to just five. There are only 28 people hospitalised with corona­virus in the whole of Australia.

The changes announced by NSW on Sunday mean the state is on track to have fewer restrictions in place than other states that have much lower infection rates.

Nail salons, beauty parlours and other beauty service providers will be limited to no more than 10 clients at a time, the 4sq m distancing rule must be followed, and records of all customers’ contact details must be kept.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the reopening of the beauty services industry had been the one most requested of him.

“Of all the requests I’ve had in the past three months, this has been the one that I think has topped the barrel,” he said.

Victoria will also relax a string of social-distancing restrictions from the start of June, including ­allowing gatherings of up to 20 people in restaurants, cafes, pubs and private residences, and permitting overnight travel.

Outdoor playgrounds, skate parks and communal gym equipment will reopen from Tuesday, in line with Prep, Grade One, Year 11 and Year 12 students returning to the classroom.

Up to 20 people will be allowed at weddings and religious ceremonies, and up to 50 people will be able to attend funerals.

Libraries, youth centres and other community facilities, swimming pools, galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, nail salons, zoos and outdoor amusement parks will also be allowed to open, subject to conditions.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians who could work from home must continue to do so until at least the end of June.

“I understand there’ll be questions about why you can go to the pub or the park but not the office, but the health advice on this is very clear,” he said.

“We just can’t afford to have millions of people moving around our state, taking public transport or using the communal kitchen, let alone when you think about the ­logistical challenges of getting people in and out of lifts.”

South Australian Premier ­Steven Marshall said his state would provide clarity on Monday as to how businesses can operate. His government has taken an industry-by-industry approach to easing restrictions.

“We are very open to anything we can do to get businesses back to profitability,” Mr Marshall said.

Western Australia is being urged to loosen conditions such as regional travel restrictions and customer limits in bars and restaurants, as well as reopening beauty salons and public playgrounds.