PM outlines three-step recovery roadmap  

8 May, 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a three-stage roadmap to make Australia “COVID-safe”.

Updated

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a three-stage roadmap to gradually remove baseline restrictions and make Australia “COVID-safe”.

“Today, we move ahead with reopening our economy and our society, with a clear plan, and a clear framework, that shows Australians the road ahead,” Morrison said in a press conference held after the National Cabinet meeting on Friday.

Morrison said Australian governments are taking a “measured approach” with its three-step plan to provide jurisdictions to move towards COVID-safe communities in a way that best suits their individual circumstances.

“We are confidently and cautiously taking the first step to lifting restrictions. Our success so far means we have slowed the spread of COVID-19 and built the capacity in our health system to manage the impact of the virus. We can now start to progressively ease the restrictions we have in place,” he said.

“Success depends on maintaining our new community norms – physical distancing, good hygiene practices and downloading the COVIDSafe app to keep us all safe while we are out and about.”

Under the plan, step one will focus on reopening the economy, and giving Australians opportunities to return to work and social activities, including gatherings of up to 10 people, up to five visitors in the family home and some local and regional travel.

Restaurants, cafes and shops can also be opened under stage one, however, it will be up to each state and territory to make final decisions on when and what restrictions are eased.

Step two builds on this with gatherings of up to 20, and more businesses reopening, including gyms, beauty services and entertainment venues like galleries and cinemas.

Step three will see a transition to COVID-safe ways of living and working, with gatherings of up to 100 people permitted.

Arrangements under step three will be the ‘new normal’ while the virus remains a threat. International travel and mass gatherings over 100 people will remain restricted.

Under the three-step plan, states and territories continue to make decisions to their individual circumstances and local conditions.

Morrison said the National Cabinet’s goal is to have a sustainable COVID-safe Australia in July 2020, with the National Cabinet to review each stage every three weeks.

“We will be closely monitoring the situation as restrictions are eased. This will enable us to assess the impact of changes, track progress against our agreed precedent conditions, determine the pace of moving through the steps, and make any further decisions.

“We’ve shown what we can achieve when we work together – we flattened the curve. Now, let’s work together to get Australia COVID-safe,” Morrison said.

There have been 6,899 confirmed cases in Australia and 97 recorded deaths. There are around 1000 active cases in Australia, and over the past week, daily infection rates have remained low. Testing remains high, with more than 730,000 tests undertaken in Australia.

States and territories release roadmaps

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has unveiled the state’s three-stage plan for easing restrictions. From Friday 15 May, 10 people at a time will be allowed to dine-in at restaurants, cafes, registered and licensed clubs, RSL clubs and hotels. Bars and gaming will still be restricted. Up to 20 locals will be able to dine-in at venues in outback regions, with proof of residence required.

 

South Australia will begin easing restrictions on Monday 11 May. Outdoor dining at restaurants and cafes will be allowed, and university and TAFE tutorials, as well as public libraries, pools, churches, community halls and auctions will also be reopened. Restrictions on cinemas, theatres, seated dining, galleries, museums and gyms for groups of up to 20 people are expected to be eased from 8 June under stage-two of the state’s plan.

In Tasmania, stage one  is set to commence on 18 May subject to public health advice. Gatherings will increase to 10 people (except visitors to households for any purpose which is capped at five  people) for indoor and outdoor, including real estate, small religious gatherings and weddings. Funerals can extend to 30 people outdoors.

Restaurants and cafes in all settings (including restaurants in pubs, clubs, hotels and RSLs) open and seat patrons of up to 10 people at a time. Seated table service only with social distancing. Community and local government facilities and libraries will be allowed to open for up to 10 people and park exercise equipment and playgrounds, pools and boot camps will be re-opened for up to 10 people.

Northern Territory released its roadmap to reopening ahead of the National Cabinet’s announcement. Stage one adjustments commenced from Friday 1 May, allowing personal gatherings including outdoor weddings and funerals as well as the re-opening of playgrounds, parks and public swimming pools.

Stage two activities can commence from Friday 15 May, and include safer indoor activities for less than two hours, such as: shopping centre food courts; restaurants, cafes, and bars (for the consumption of food); beauty therapy salons for non-facial services, gyms and public libraries. Venues will be required to complete a simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist to ensure they are operating within physically distancing and hygiene guideline

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has said restaurants and cafes will remain closed for dine-in trade for now, despite easing restrictions on the size of private gatherings from midnight on Friday 8 May.

NSW will further ease COVID-19 restrictions across the state from Friday. From Friday 15 May, restaurants and cafes can have 10 patrons at any one time, with stage two and three of the National Cabinet’s roadmap to be assessed in due course.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also announced an easing of restrictions on Monday 11 May, however venues will continue to be restricted to takeaway and delivery until at least June. Andrews said a broader opening of the retail sector could also be possible in June.

In WA, restrictions will ease for indoor and outdoor gatherings from Monday, 18 May. Cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen with meal service (including within pubs, bars, clubs, hotels and casino) for up 20 patrons. Businesses will need to complete a COVID safety plan and hospitality workers need to undertake COVID-19 hygiene training. Gyms, places of worship, community facilities, public swimming pools and libraries will also re-open, but all will be limited to 20 patrons.

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