The states and territories lifting coronavirus lockdown restrictions

For several weeks now, the entire country has had to adjust to a new normal and adhere to strict social distancing guidelines in the hope of limiting the spread of coronavirus within Australia. Not only did the restrictions force the closure of many businesses and public places, but it has also seen people spending the majority of their time indoors at home.

Now though, as the data continues to suggest that Australia is successfully flattening the curve, it seems there is hope on the horizon. And as a result several states and territories have made the decision to ease some of the current lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks, provided Australians continue to respect social distancing measures.

So far, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory have announced they are planning to lift some restrictions, with some doing so as early as this week. However New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have not yet followed suit.

Here’s what each state or territory has said.

Queensland

Queenslanders will enjoy slightly more relaxed stay-at-home restrictions from midnight this Friday (May 1) as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that, from Saturday, people will be able to visit parks, enjoy outdoor picnics, ride jet skis and even shop for non-essential items.

“We recognise that Queenslanders have done a great job in trying to flatten that curve,” she told the Today show on Monday. “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.”

The premier also vowed to clamp down again if people flocked to the state’s beaches and refused to adhere to social distancing. Palaszczuk added: “We’re really asking people to do the right thing here … If you are going to the beach, go with your household or if you are single go with one other person. This is really important.”

While restrictions are easing, the state government has also asked residents not to travel further than 50km from home. The state’s borders will also remain closed for the foreseeable future, with the premier stating the high-rate of community transmission in NSW and VIC as a major factor.

Western Australia

It’s a similar situation in Western Australia as Premier Mack McGowan announced on Sunday that the state’s two-person limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings would be lifted from today (Monday, April 27). From today, as many as 10 people will be allowed to gather for non-work activities, which includes weddings.

“We need to remember we remain in a state of emergency,” he told reporters on Sunday. “I strongly encourage that everyone must continue to practice appropriate social distancing. We need to be patient. We need to be careful. We can’t let our guard down on social distancing and good personal hygiene. We cannot slip.”

Those in WA are also now permitted to do activities such as picnics, boating, hiking and camping, as long as the 10-person limit is adhered to.

Our State has seen remarkable results in the fight against COVID-19 – and while that fight will continue for some time yet, those results mean we can now cautiously adjust some of the most extreme of those restrictions. pic.twitter.com/ao7OVqAYle

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) April 26, 2020

Victoria

While the Victorian state government has announced it is considering easing the current lockdown restrictions, this is unlikely to happen until May 11 at the earliest. This is because that is the date when the state emergency will be lifted.

“We can properly, in a cautious way, examine those in the weeks and months ahead and we can potentially make some changes,” Premier Daniel Andrews said last week.

It is thought restrictions on sporting and recreational activities, as well as how many people can meet at once, may be lifted first. However businesses such as restaurants, bars and pubs are likely to remain closed for longer as they are deemed higher risk.

Northern Territory

Those living in the NT could enjoy a taste of freedom on the May Day long weekend, as parks and reserves across the state are set to reopen. Chief Minister Michael Gunner made the announcement on Facebook on Sunday, but warned people to respect each other’s space.

“Territorians will have the opportunity to safely spend this weekend camping, swimming or walking through our beautiful parks and reserves & enjoying the Territory lifestyle that we all love,” he wrote. “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.”

Gunner added: “We cannot take for granted that we are the safest place in Australia, and we have to work to keep it that way.”

The chief minister also said that, in coming weeks, the territory will transition into a “new normal” and revealed plans to announce further adjustments to restrictions on some other outdoor activities later this week.