Getting in on the act

A NEW survey has revealed the vast majority of Tasmanians polled are looking forward to again attending live music performances, which were stalled due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

The latest EMRS poll commissioned by Federal Group has revealed 70 per cent of respondents would go to live performances as frequently as they did before the COVID- 19 pandemic.

MELBOURNE residents got a much- needed taste of freedom Wednesday as brutal COVID- 19 restrictions eased.

Pubs, restaurants and cafes joined 16,200 shops reopening, with a throng of shoppers buying up big after 111 days in lockdown.

Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said the opening day was “a great success, with orderly, happy customers — with no major incidents reported”.

“Retailers have moved mountains to achieve a safe and orderly opening,” he said.

Kmart managing director Ian Bailey said about 500 people hit Kmart’s five 24- hour shops in the first 30 minutes of opening, while 10,000 went through between midnight and 6am.

Mr Bailey said most people bought homewares, Christmas items and basic goods such as clothing, toys and stationery.

The spending spree comes as data collection website Information is Beautiful rated activities, including shopping, visiting a nightclub, hugging and shaking hands, on a scale from least to most risky.

Outdoor bars, large crowds at sports stadiums and attending church where singing was allowed carried higher risks.

La Trobe University Associate Professor of Epidemiology Hassan Vally said behaviours such as night clubbing or indoor parties were considered risky because they involved crowds of people, close together, over a period.

“The riskiest activities would be ones that involve a lot of people crammed close together indoors.”