Australians are about to discover that a national framework does not end the confusion over what is allowed when social restrictions are eased.
Scott Morrison has outlined a three-step plan to relax the curbs but he is outnumbered in national cabinet and cannot decide the changes.
Sydney Morning Herald’s David Crowe asserts that:
This is a test for the national economy and so far its leaders are falling short. Rather than agree on rules that will be applied as uniformly as possible, with as much certainty as possible, the national cabinet has only listed the options.
It is up to state and territory leaders to name the measures they will take in each step of the plan, with their own timeframes.
In other words, the framework is merely a menu. Victorians are likely to discover the meal they want is not available in their state even when it is ready to be served in Queensland.
One size does not fit all in a country as big as Australia. The argument for state and territory sovereignty is the coronavirus case numbers are different in every jurisdiction, although this is true only up to a point. The trend is incredibly positive in every location, yet the rules are different on matters as minor as fishing and golf.
It is up to the premiers and chief ministers to get it right. While Morrison wants to restart the economy, the controls are out of his hands.
Description:
This infographic presents the 3-step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia.
Underlying principles:
- Maintain 1.5m distancing and good hygiene
- Stay home if unwell
- Frequently clean and disinfect communal areas
- COVIDSafe plan for workplaces and premises
Overview of steps:
- Step 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community.
- Step 2: Slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities have tighter restrictions.
- Step 3: A commitment to reopening business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
GATHERINGS & WORK
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Some businesses reopen.
- Non-work gatherings of up to 10
- Up to 5 visitors at home in addition to normal residents
- Work from home if it works for you and your employer
- Workplaces develop a COVIDSafe plan
- Avoid public transport in peak hour
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Non-work gatherings of up to 20
- States and territories may allow larger numbers in some circumstances
- Work from home if it works for you and your employer
- Workplaces develop a COVIDSafe plan
- Avoid public transport in peak hour
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Non-work gatherings of up to 100 people
- Larger gatherings to be considered
- Return to workplace
- Workplaces develop a COVIDSafe plan
- Avoid public transport in peak hour
EDUCATION & CHILDCARE
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Child care centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase face-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills based learning
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Child care centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase face-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills based learning
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Child care centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase face-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills based learning
- Consider reopening residential colleges and international student travel
RETAIL & SALES
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Retail stores open
- Retail stores and shopping centre managers must develop COVIDSafe plans
- Auctions/open homes can have gatherings of up to 10, recording contact details
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Retail stores open
- Retail stores and shopping centre managers must develop COVIDSafe plans
- Auctions/open homes can have gatherings of up to 20, recording contact details
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Retail stores open
- Retail stores and shopping centre managers must develop COVIDSafe plans
- Auctions/open homes can have gatherings of up to 100, recording contact details
CAFES & RESTAURANTS
STEP 1: The important first small steps – connect with friends and family – allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- May open and seat up to 10 patrons at one time
- Need to maintain an average density of 4 square metres per person
- Food courts are to remain closed to seated patrons
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Cafes and restaurants can seat up to 20 patrons at one time
- Need to maintain an average density of 4 square metres per person
- Food courts are to remain closed to seated patrons
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Cafes, restaurants and food courts can seat up to 100 people
- Need to maintain an average density of 4 square metres per person
ENTERTAINMENT & AMUSEMENT VENUES
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- To remain closed: Indoor movie theatres, concert venues, stadiums, galleries, museums, zoos, pubs, registered and licensed clubs, nightclubs, gaming venues, strip clubs and brothels
- Exception: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 10 patrons at one time
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Indoor movie theatres, concert venues, stadiums, galleries, museums, zoos may have up to 20 patrons
- To remain closed: pubs, registered and licensed clubs, RSL clubs, casinos, nightclubs, strip clubs and brothels
- Exception: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 20 patrons at one time
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Venues open in Step 2 may have up to 100 patrons
- Consideration will be given to opening bar areas and gaming rooms
- Exception: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 100 patrons at one time
- To remain closed: strip clubs and brothels
SPORT & RECREATION
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- No indoor physical activity including gyms
- Community centres, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and skate parks allow up to 10 people
- Outdoor sport (up to 10 people) consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport
- Pools open with restrictions
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Up to 20 people allowed to participate in outdoor sports consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport
- Up to 20 people allowed to participate in all indoor sports, including gyms
- Need to maintain an average density of 4 square metres per person
- Pools open with restrictions
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- All venues allowed to operate with gatherings of up to 100 people
- Need to maintain an average density of 4 square metres per person
- Community sport expansion to be considered consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport
ACCOMMODATION
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Continue current arrangements for caravan parks and camping grounds (closed to tourists in some states and territories)
- Hostels and hotels are open for accommodation
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Caravan parks and camping grounds fully open
- All accommodation areas open and allow gatherings of up to 20 people
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- All accommodation areas open and allow gatherings of up to 100 people
WEDDINGS, FUNERALS & RELIGIOUS SERVICES
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Weddings may have up to 10 guests in addition to the couple and the celebrant
- Funerals may have up to 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors
- Religious gatherings may have up to10 attendees
- Every gathering must record contact details
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Weddings may have up to 20 guests in addition to the couple and the celebrant
- Funerals may have up to 50 mourners
- Religious gatherings may have up to 20 attendees
- Every gathering must record contact details
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Allow gatherings of up to 100 people
- Every gathering must record contact details
HAIR & BEAUTY SERVICES
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Hairdressers and barber shops open and record contact details
- Beauty therapy and massage therapy venues, saunas and tattoo parlours remain closed
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Hairdressers and barber shops open and record contact details
- Beauty therapy and massage therapy venues and tattoo parlours can open with up to 20 clients in the premises and record contact details
- Saunas and bathhouses remain closed
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- All establishments allowed to open with up to 100 people
- Record contact details
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
STEP 1: The important first small steps — connect with friends and family — allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
- Allow local and regional travel for recreation
- Refer to state and territory governments for border restrictions and biosecurity conditions
STEP 2: Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses reopening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
- Allow local and regional travel for recreation
- Consider allowing interstate recreational travel depending on the situation in each state and territory
- Refer to state and territory governments for biosecurity conditions
STEP 3: A commitment to reopening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
- Allow interstate travel
- Refer to state and territory governments for biosecurity conditions
