As Victoria's coronavirus restrictions tighten, here's what you can and can't do across Australia

Australia's states and territories are relaxing their coronavirus restrictions at different rates. Here's the state-by-state rundown of what's happening and when.

People dine out in Melbourne.

People dine out in Melbourne. Source: Getty

As Australia's coronavirus recovery continues, different circumstances in each state and territory mean the country is no longer opening up in unison.

On Tuesday, Victoria recorded double-digit growth in new cases for the seventh day in a row.

While in South Australia, which has gone several weeks without a new case, authorities are preparing to move to the next stage of easing restrictions.
So what's happening in each state and territory? Based on information from 23 June, this is the state of play.

Victoria

Victoria confirmed another 19 coronavirus cases on Sunday, 16 on Monday and 17 on Tuesday, taking to 193 the number of new cases over the past nine days.

On the weekend, the state became the first jurisdiction in Australia to re-impose coronavirus restrictions.

It's thought the spike has come, at least in part, from large family gatherings.
As such, now only five people are allowed to visit a home and public gatherings are limited to 10 people.

The upper limit on patrons in restaurants, cafes and pubs remains at 20, with a maximum group size of 10. Seated service of alcohol without food is permitted.

The 20-person upper limit also applies to indoor sports venues, galleries, museums, cinemas and theatres.

Private worship or small religious ceremonies and auctions are also limited to 20 people.
Australians have also been urged not to travel to and from several local government areas that have been designated as hotspots: Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin.

South Australia

South Australia has relatively loose restrictions, such as allowing 75 people in a house and 300 people to gather at a venue. 

Premier Steven Marshall announced on Tuesday the state is rolling back more restrictions after going several weeks without a new case.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall this week.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall this week. Source: AAP
From 29 June, venues will be able to have one person per two square metres, as opposed to the previous rule of one person every four square metres.

The change will allow businesses to potentially double their capacity, a move the hospitality sector says will improve their viability.

Stadiums will be allowed to host crowds at 50 per cent of their capacity, which will see Adelaide Oval able to host more than 25,000 people.
SA has already lifted quarantine requirements for people travelling from Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, and is due to do the same for other jurisdictions on 20 July.

Mr Marshall said SA remained on track to lift all its remaining border restrictions on that date but he was closely monitoring the situation in Melbourne.

In the meantime, extra police resources will check on people coming into SA from Victoria to ensure they comply with coronavirus measures.

New South Wales

Currently, 20 people are allowed to gather in public and visit a single household.

Pubs, bars and restaurants can have up to 50 customers or one customer per four square metres. At these venues, there is a maximum of 20 people per individual group.
A crowded Sydney street.
A crowded Sydney street. Source: AAP
Weddings have a limit of 20 people while funerals only need to observe the one person per four square metres rule.

Art galleries and museums have started to reopen and also need to observe the one person per four square metres rule.

From 1 July, kids' sport and community sports are set to return.
But Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned people in the state not to get complacent.

"We cannot assume because of the case numbers in NSW we are through the worst of it, we just don't know," she said.

"We only have to look south of the border, that could be us, if people don't do the right thing."

Queensland

Queensland has now gone six days without a single new coronavirus case, and has just two active cases.

As in NSW, 20 people are currently allowed to gather in public and visit a single household.

Up to 20 patrons are allowed in restaurants, pubs and bars.

There's a 20-person limit on weddings and a 100-person limit on funerals.
People enjoy a picnic in Brisbane.
People enjoy a picnic in Brisbane. Source: AAP
Reopening of the state border has been pencilled in for 10 July, but escalating community transmission in Victoria has cast a shadow over that timeline.

Western Australia

Western Australia is now at phase three of its economic recovery plan, allowing 100 people to gather publically or privately, or 300 people in a multi-space venue.

The state will move into phase four from Saturday, removing all existing gathering limits at pubs, restaurants and other indoor venues.

A two square metre rule will continue to apply to indoor and outdoor venues.
Major venues will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity, permitting crowds of up to 30,000 people for sporting fixtures at Optus Stadium and 35,000 at concerts.

Phase five, set to come into effect from 18 July, includes the removal of the two square metre rule as well as all other restrictions on gatherings, paving the way for 60,000-capacity crowds at Optus Stadium when AFL games return to WA.

But Premier Mark McGowan has declined to put a date on the introduction of phase six, which will include the reopening of interstate borders.

Tasmania

Tasmanians can currently have up to 20 visitors at their house.
The 80-person cap on public gatherings including restaurants, cafes and bars, has been flagged for removal on Friday.

Up to 80 people can attend weddings and funerals.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has been relatively untouched by coronavirus, and that's reflected in the fact that very few restrictions still remain in place.

There's currently no limits on home visits, public gatherings, places of worship or weddings and funerals in the NT. However, residents have been urged to continue social distancing at all times.
The Darwin Hotel after restrictions eased.
The Darwin Hotel after restrictions eased. Source: AAP
There's also no restrictions on businesses - such as pubs, clubs and gyms - so long as they have a "COVID-19 plan".

However, aged care residents can only have up to two visitors at a time. Except for special circumstances, people under 16 years of age are not allowed to visit.

ACT

Like the NT, the ACT is among the most open jurisdictions in Australia.

While the territory has no limit on household visitors, public gatherings of more than 100 people are not permitted.
Places of worship, weddings, funerals and hospitality venues can be attended by up to 100 people.

Food courts will be allowed to open to seated patrons from 10 July.

The ACT also has similar aged care vitiation rules to those in place in the NT: one visit per day of up to two people, only for the purposes of support and lasting no more than two hours. People under 16 years of age are not allowed to visit, except in special circumstances.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .

Additional reporting by AAP.


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7 min read
Published 23 June 2020 7:57pm
By Nick Baker, Evan Young



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