Australia’s roadmap out of COVID-19
If it is easier to talk to someone about the new rules – you can contact the COVID-19 Disability Helpline by phone or the National Relay Service on 1800 643 787.
On 8th May, Prime Minister, Scott Morrison announced that Australia’s CoronaVirus restrictions will be relaxed under a three-step plan. Please note that States & Territories will move at different times based on local conditions. For example, the Northern Territory has had almost no new cases for weeks, so they’ll likely get to step three far before New South Wales will, which has had the most cases.
You can also read the Press Statement which includes more information, here.
Below is the video of the Prime Minister’s announcement with Auslan interpreters, and here is the transcript of the announcement. Further down this page, we have included the PDF and text of the Roadmap to Recovery.
The Roadmap to a COVID Safe Australia
- Access the 3-Step Framework to a COVID Safe Australia (PDF 173KB). Below is the text version of the 3-Step Plan.
- To see when each State and Territory is entering the different steps of the 3-Step Plan, we have listed State and Territory Restrictions here.
STEP 1
The important first small steps – connect with family and friends – allowing groups of people to be together in homes and in the community. Businesses reopen, and more people return to work.
Gatherings and Work
- Non-work gatherings of up to 10 people
- 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
Education and Childcare
- Childcare centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase fact-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills-based learning
Retail and Sales
- 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
Cafes and Restaurants
- May open and seat up to 10 patrons at one time
- Need to maintain an average density of 4m2 per person
- Food courts are to remain closed to seated patrons
Entertainment and Amusement Venues
- To remain closed: Indoor movie theatres, concert venues, stadiums, galleries, museums, zoos, pubs registered and licenced clubs, nightclubs, gaming venues, strip clubs and brothels
- Exceptions: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 10 patrons at one time
Sport and Recreation
- 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
Accommodation
- Continue current arrangements for caravan parks and camping grounds (closed to tourists in some states and territories)
- Hostels and hotels are open for accommodation
Weddings, Funerals and Religious Services
- 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 to 10 attendees
- Every gathering must record contact details.
Hair and Beauty Services
- Hairdressers and barbershops open and record contact details.
- Beauty therapy and massage therapy venues, saunas and tattoo parlours remain closed
Domestic Travel
- Allow local and regional travel for recreation
- Refer to state and territory governments for border restrictions
STEP 2
Building on slightly larger gatherings and more businesses re-opening. Higher risk activities may have tighter restrictions.
Gatherings and Work
- Non -work gatherings of up to 20 people
- State 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
Education and Childcare
- Childcare centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase fact-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills-based learning
Retail and Sales
- 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
Cafes and Restaurants
- May open and seat up to 20 patrons at one time
- Need to maintain an average density of 4m2 per person
- Food courts are to remain closed to seated patrons
Entertainment and Amusement Venues
- To remain closed: Indoor movie theatres, concert venues, stadiums, galleries, museums, zoos, may have up to 20 patrons
- To remain closed pubs, registered and licenced clubs, nightclubs, gaming venues, strip clubs and brothels
- Exceptions: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 20 patrons at one time
Sport and Recreation
- Up to 20 people allowed to participate in outdoor sport consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport
- Up to 20 people allowed to participate in all outdoor sports
- Pools open with restrictions
Accommodation
- Caravan parks and camping grounds fully open
- All accommodation areas open and allow gatherings of up to 20 people
Weddings, Funerals and Religious Services
- 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
Hair and Beauty Services
- Hairdressers and barbershops 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
Domestic Travel
- Allow local and regional travel for recreation
- Consider allowing interstate recreational travel depending on the situation in each state and territory
STEP 3
A commitment to re-opening of business and the community with minimal restrictions, but underpinned by COVIDSafe ways of living.
Gatherings and Work
- 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 and Childcare
- Childcare centres, primary and secondary schools open as per state and territory plans
- Universities/technical colleges to increase fact-to-face where possible and prioritise hands-on, skills-based learning
- Consider reopening residential colleges and international student travel
Retail and Sales
- 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 and Restaurants
- Cafes, restaurants and food courts can seat up to 100 people
- Need to maintain an average density of 4m2 per person
Entertainment and Amusement Venues
- Venues open in Step 2 may have up to 100 patrons.
- Consideration will be given to opening bar areas and gaming rooms
- Exceptions: Restaurants or cafes in these venues may seat up to 100 patrons at one time
- To remain closed: strip clubs and brothels
Sport and Recreation
- All venues allowed to operate with gatherings of up to 100 people
- Community sports expansion to be considered consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport
Accommodation
- All accommodation areas open and allow gatherings of up to 100 people
Weddings, Funerals and Religious Services
- Allow gatherings of up to 100 people
- Every gathering must record contact details
Hair and Beauty Services
- All establishments allowed to open with up to 100 people
- Record contact details
Domestic Travel
- Allow interstate travel
What we all need to do
- stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever and wherever we can
- maintain good hand washing and cough/sneeze hygiene
- stay home when we’re unwell, and getting tested if we have respiratory symptoms or a fever,
- download the COVIDSafe app so we can find the virus quickly, and
- Develop COVID safe plans for workplaces and plans.