Australian states delay easing measures
>>MELBOURNE: Australia’s most populous states held back from relaxing coronavirus restrictions yesterday although others began allowing small gatherings and were preparing to open restaurants and shops.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined a plan a day earlier to remove most curbs by July and get nearly one million people back to work, given that new confirmed coronavirus infections have fallen to less than 20 a day due to strict lockdowns.
In Canberra and some states, people can visit each other again, with indoor and outdoor gatherings, including weddings, of up to 10 people allowed.
In South Australia, outdoor dining at restaurants and cafes will be allowed from Monday seating up to 10 people at a time, and in the Northern Territory, pubs, bars and restaurants will reopen on Friday.
But New South Wales and Victoria, which account for nearly two-thirds of the country’s coronavirus cases, will only begin to outline their plans for easing business restrictions by this week at the earliest.
“What we’re doing here, is we very clearly have one country, one direction, different speeds,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said from a suburb of Melbourne.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while the rate of infection in the state had dropped, the government was still working on a plan for getting people back to work. He did not say when that would be ready.
“I understand the energy and exuberance about wanting us to lay out a timetable. All I can say is that at this point, the highest priority...is to keep people safe, but also to find the right balance,” Mr Hazzard said.
Although visits of up to two adults in NSW are now allowed, Mr Hazzard urged people not to let their guard down when visiting on Mother’s Day today.
“It’s really tough to not be able to hug your mum or kiss your mum, but it would be the wisest course to not do that,” Mr Hazzard said.
Many nursing homes started allowing limited visits this weekend, with some requiring temperature checks and proof of flu vaccinations for visitors as well as strict social distancing of 1.5 metres.
Australia’s total deaths from Covid19 remain just below 100. Mr Hunt said 770,000 people have been tested across the country.