As new coronavirus infection cases continue to remain steady, some states and territories will begin to ease social distancing restrictions in an effort to slowly return to normality. As of yesterday afternoon (April 27), the total number of confirmed cases across the nation sat at 6,725.
Watch below: World Health Organisation lists criteria for easing lockdown restrictions
Following in the footsteps of Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced this morning that the state government would begin to relax certain social distancing measures from Friday, May 1, following news that only five new cases were recorded overnight in NSW.
While the change is certainly welcomed, the relaxing of restrictions isn’t a license to become complacent. Below, we’ve rounded up exactly which states and territories are lifting lockdown restrictions and how these changes may affect you.
New South Wales
On April 28, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that from Friday May 1, two adults will be allowed to visit another household. Berejiklian also added those with young children are allowed to take the kids with them on the visits.
“We know for many people they’ve been cooped up in their homes for a number of weeks,” Berejiklian said. “We want people to feel less isolated. We want better mental health but we also know that that comes with risks but I have inherent faith in the people of New South Wales that people will act responsibly.”
“This isn’t a licence to go wild and have parties but it is a licence to be socially responsible and accept that the government is easing this restriction and to provide less social isolation and better mental health for everybody,” she said.
Queensland
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that the easing of stay-at-home restrictions would be effective as of midnight on Friday (May 1). This means that family picnics and weekend drives will be permitted, and national parks reopening on Saturday, with residents directed to travel no further than 50 kilometres from their homes. However, the state borders will remain closed.
“What we’re asking for people to do is continue with social distancing. That’s number one. Secondly it has to be your own household or if you are living by yourself with a friend,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We’re really asking people to do the right thing here.”
Western Australia
Picnics, boating, hiking, camping and group exercise are permitted again for Western Australians. In addition, couples will now be allowed to have up to 10 people at their wedding, after the state government announced that it was increasing its two-person limit on non-work activities to 10. However, other restrictions related to restaurants, play equipment and travel bans will continue to remain in place.
South Australia
After recording five consecutive days without any new coronavirus cases, students across the state were welcomed back to public schools yesterday, while private schools will take a staggered approach. However, all other social distancing measures will remain in place, as SA concludes their testing blitz – which has seen more than 52,000 people tested – on April 30.
Northern Territory
Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced yesterday that the territories national parks will reopen as of May 1. There has been pressure placed on the NT government over the last two weeks to begin lifting social distancing measures, with no new cases of COVID-19 having been recorded in over three weeks.
“We can only do this because of the work and sacrifices of Territorians – and we can only keep our parks open if Territorians are respectful of each other’s space,” he said.
“In the coming weeks, the Territory will gradually transition to a “new normal” – where Territorians can get back to business, back to work, and back to enjoying the Territory lifestyle, while also staying safe from coronavirus.”
As new coronavirus infection cases continue to remain steady, some states and territories will begin to ease social distancing restrictions in an effort to slowly return to normality. As of yesterday afternoon (April 27), the total number of confirmed cases across the nation sat at 6,725.
Watch below: World Health Organisation lists criteria for easing lockdown restrictions
As new coronavirus infection cases continue to remain steady, some states and territories will begin to ease social distancing restrictions in an effort to slowly return to normality. As of yesterday afternoon (April 27), the total number of confirmed cases across the nation sat at 6,725.
Watch below: World Health Organisation lists criteria for easing lockdown restrictions
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