Government Announces COVID-19 Roadmap

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he hopes Australia will be mostly reopened 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, reports the ABC.

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.

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.

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”.

“We’re looking at larger gatherings, of around 20, potentially in some states, they may look in some venues of really good COVID-safe plans to go more than that,” Professor Murphy said.

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

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.