Update on COVID-19 Measures

Updated 29th March 2020

Australia has now moved to Stage 2 Restrictions to slow the spread of the CoronaVirus (COVID19).
 
This means that many more services and shops are closed.  We have provided information below on what is open, what is closed, and what other restrictions are in place now.

What’s closed?

  • Nightclubs, Pubs & Clubs (Bottle Shops attached to these venues can remain open)
  • Licenced premises such as Hotels (accommodation at Hotels can remain open)
  • Restaurants and cafes – dining in (take away & home delivery can remain open)
  • Places of worship, such as mosques, churches and synagogues
  • Entertainment venues, Indoor sporting venues, and public swimming pools,
  • Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, and tattoo parlours
  • Spas and massage parlours — this doesn’t include health-related services such as physiotherapy and allied health services.
  • Real estate auctions and open house inspections
  • Amusement parks and arcades
  • Indoor and outdoor play centres
  • Gyms, health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre, spin facilities, saunas, wellness centres, and community & recreation centres
  • Galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, libraries, community centres
  • Cinemas
  • outdoor gyms, skate parks and boot camps
  • Casinos, gaming or gambling venues
  • Outdoor and indoor markets — this doesn’t include fresh food markets where you can buy fruit and vegetables

Food outlets in shopping centres can stay open, but they will only be able to sell takeaway.  So you won’t be able to sit in a food court and eat your meal.

Isolated remote community hubs are not included in this closure.

What’s open?

  • Supermarkets
  • Banks
  • Pharmacies
  • Petrol stations
  • Convenience stores
  • Butchers, bakeries and greengrocers
  • Freight and delivery services
  • Shopping centres
  • Bottle shops
  • Hairdressers and barbers
  • Mechanics
  • childcare centres
  • Schools, universities and TAFEs, although many have resorted to online learning

All Australians have been told to stay at home except for essential outings, including work, grocery shopping, and medical appointments and supplies. Exercising outside alone or with a friend is fine.

Public gatherings are now restricted to 2 people (down from 10 people).  Family members living in the same house are excluded from this rule.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS – remain open to the public, but new rules have come into effect, with a cap of two visitors per patient per day. Visitors can only stay for a maximum of two hours, and should not visit a patient in hospital if they are unwell

Weddings can continue, but no more than five people can attend — so only the couple, the celebrant and the witnesses.

Funerals are limited to a maximum of 10 mourners, and those present must (again) maintain physical distance – the 4 square metre rule and social distancing must be observed.

You should not visit others at their home, or have visitors in your home as it is a public gathering and needs to be no more than 2 people.  This means no barbecues, parties and big dinners with friends or extended families.

At this stage, there are no immediate changes to public transport timetables.

Essential gatherings

Essential gatherings must restrict the number of people present to:

  • 500 for outdoor gatherings
  • 100 for indoor gatherings

and those present must (again) maintain physical distance – the 4 square metre rule and social distancing must be observed.

Essential indoor gatherings

An indoor gathering takes place within a single enclosed area (a single room or area).  Essential activities include:

  • essential workplaces
  • health care settings
  • pharmacies
  • food shopping
  • schools and universities
  • public transport

These essential indoor gatherings must apply social distancing and good hygiene practices, including:

  • being able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between people
  • providing hand hygiene products and suitable rubbish bins, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal

Aged care facilities

Special restrictions remain in place for aged care facilities to protect older Australians.

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