Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Politics
Jordan Hayne

The three stages Australia will follow to relax restrictions

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he hopes Australia will be mostly reopened by July, and has unveiled the three-step plan agreed to by National Cabinet to get there.

Step one of easing restrictions, which state and territory leaders will implement as they see fit, will see restaurants, playgrounds and community centres reopen.

From there, every change will be separated by a cooling-off period, so health experts can observe any impact there may be on infection risk.

National Cabinet will be reviewing the progress of the restrictions every three weeks.

Throughout all the stages, the need for good hygiene, 1.5-metre distancing and staying home when feeling sick are essential.

Here's what you'll be able to do in each stage.

Step one: The cautious stage

Under the first step of eased restrictions, you'll be able to get a coffee at your local cafe, grab a meal at a restaurant, or take your kids to the playground.

When states and territories enter stage one, community centres, libraries and outdoor boot camps will be allowed to reopen, and you'll be able to invite up to five guests into your home at a time.

In public, groups of up to 10 people will be allowed, with the exception of weddings and funerals.

Weddings will be allowed 13 participants — the couple, the celebrant and 10 guests — and funerals will allow 20 mourners to attend indoors or 30 mourners outdoors.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the 10-person rule would still apply to cafes and restaurants that chose to reopen their doors to sit-down customers.

"We know that means many cafes and restaurants won't be able to open, but many that are doing takeaway may want to put up enough distant tables to start just gently serving 10 people at a time," he said.

Outdoor sports involving fewer than 10 people will resume and swimming pools will reopen.

You'll also be allowed to travel within your region, and working from home will be encouraged "if it works for you and your employer".

National Cabinet estimates the stage one changes will add up to $3.1 billion in economic activity per month, translating to up to 250,000 jobs.

Step two: Gatherings up to 20 people

When your state or territory reaches step two, gyms, cinemas, galleries and beauty therapists will be allowed to reopen for trade.

Gatherings of up to 20 people will be allowed in public, and Professor Murphy said it would see "many more businesses and activities and venues opening again, but still with significant numbers controlled".

Interstate travel could also resume in stage two, though that would require the states that currently have their borders closed to ease those measures.

Caravan parks and camping grounds will reopen to guests, and the wedding guest limit will increase to 20 people.

Funerals will allow for up to 50 mourners.

These measures were projected to add a further $3 billion in economic activity each month.

Step three: Life much closer to normal

Step three, which Mr Morrison hopes all states will have reached by July, will see life much closer to normal than it has been in recent months.

This is the stage at which a "trans-Tasman bubble" allowing international travel with New Zealand and Pacific islands will be discussed.

Consideration will also be given to allowing travel for international students, but Mr Morrison said it remained to be seen whether that was possible.

"We are open to that, and we would be working with institutions to see how that could be achieved. But it has to be done according to those strict quarantine restrictions," he said.

Also in stage three, gatherings of up to 100 people would be permitted, allowing for the reopening of food courts, nightclubs, saunas and many workplaces.

All interstate travel is expected to be operational by then, however even after stage 3 some restrictions will remain in place.

Strip clubs and brothels will remain closed even in the final stage of eased restrictions, and large gatherings of more than 100 people will also not be permitted.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.