Which COVID-19 Restrictions Are Being Relaxed In NSW?
- Parents Only
The race to normality is going to a slow one, but a safe one. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced further updates and changes in line with the Prime Minister’s three-step road map to recovery.
From Monday 1 June, more strict lockdown laws will be loosened:
What Will Be Allowed?
- Travel to regional NSW for a holiday
- Visits to museums, galleries and libraries
- Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants can have up to 50 customers
- Beauty and nail salon operators can begin treatments under strict COVID-safe guidelines
- Weddings will be allowed to have up to 20 guests.
- Funerals can accommodate up to 50 mourners
- Places of worship will be allowed up to 50 people.
This is in addition to the eased restrictions that were released on Friday 15 May:
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.
- Visits to a household of up to 5 people.
- Outdoor gyms and playgrounds will open and outdoor pools with restrictions.
How does a 'loosening of lockdown laws' look for us here in NSW so far?
Visiting Friends
From Friday 15 May, five people can pop around to visit another household for the purposes of socialising.
If you are feeling unwell you should not visit other people at home, even if your symptoms are mild.
Cinemas
Are you craving that salty popcorn? Well, according to the National Association of Cinema Operators, the goal is to reopen the doors on July 16 (this will coincide with the release of Christopher Nolan’s time travel thriller, Tenet.) However, this will be dependent on what Gladys thinks we should do closer to the date. Just annouced: Palace Cinemas will reopen on July 2.
If they do open, social distancing measures will have to take place, such as a 1.5m space between patrons - sounds great to us!
Zoos
From Monday, June 1st Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo will reopen in a careful and responsible way with daily visitor numbers strictly limited.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney will also open on June 1.
The Australian Reptile Park will reopen from Monday 1 June 2020 and are offering FREE one-hour, guided tours included with their general admission ticket!
Find out more Sydney kid-friendly venues that are opening in June here.
Outdoor Venues
In May you'll be able to exercise with more than two people, and being able to go to the beach and the park - although you would still have to keep your distance from others. From May 15 you'll be able to visit playgrounds and some outdoor swimming pools.
And you can do a play date at someone's house from May 1.
Cafes and Pubs
Cafes and restaurants have been hit hard but may be able to have some reprieve, so long as strict social distancing measures are enforced. From June 1 cafe/restaurants will open with a max of 50 people inside the venue, subject to a one-person per four square metre rule
Pubs and clubs with restaurant facilities will also be allowed to open for sit-down meals but only 50 people inside at any time and there'll be no lingering!
Gyms
There's no excuse now! NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard revealed that gyms, dance and yoga studios can reopen as of Saturday 13 June.
Small-group, non-contact activities that involve no more than 10 people will resume by May 8. Things like boot camps, group personal training and sports such as tennis, golf or bushwalking with social distancing measures in place.
Organised Sports
Rejoice (or not?!) kids' sport can resume across the state from July 1. However, some matches would need to remain “spectator-free” for some time.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel is expected to recommence way before international travel and could be in flight by early July. The Prime Minister revealed in a recent national cabinet meeting that he hopes we will be able to resume interstate travel in time for the end of term school holidays.
We could also see some cheap fares to get us there, with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce claiming “airfares could be half of what they are today”, starting at $19 for the popular Melbourne-Sydney flight on Jetstar.
A 'safe-travel-zone' between Australia and New Zealand has also been flagged, though the PM concedes it is "still some time away".
Schools
Ms Berejiklian said public school children will return to classrooms as normal on May 25.
International Travel
Don't go booking that Euro-trip with the kids because international travel won't return to normal until... wait for it... 2023! Although some international travel will restart next year, things won’t return to normal for years.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) CEO Alexandre de Juniac said international travel would restart slowly, in stages.
“What we have planned is to restart the industry, first by reopening domestic markets, then regional continental markets, such as Asia-Pacific, or Europe, or North America,” he said.
So keep your plans to Australia... and possibly New Zealand!
Don't Get Carried Away
Across Australia, the numbers of new coronavirus infections are coming down after social distancing measures were introduced during March.
However let's not get too excited, until a vaccine is found, social distancing will continue to be our new way of life. So, stay in as much as possible and don't forget to wash your hands!
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