Aust Government Coronavirus restrictions

By Geoff Adams

Mar 25, 2020

Non-essential gatherings

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The Australian government isÂ suspending non-essential gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19). This will give both businesses and people time to fully understand social distancing requirements.

The following facilities were restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:

pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
gyms and indoor sporting venues
cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and night clubs
restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies)

From 12:00am on 26 March, these restrictions will extend to the following facilities:

food courts (except for take away)
auction houses, real estate auctions and open houses
personal services ( beauty, nail, tanning, waxing and tattoo salons)
Spa and massage parlours, excluding health related services such as physiotherapy
amusement parks, arcades and play centres (indoor and outdoor)
Strip clubs, brothels and sex on premises venues.
galleries, national institutions, historic sites and museums
Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres and swimming pools
community facilities such as community halls, libraries and youth centres, RSL and PCYC
Gaming and gambling venues
Indoor and outdoor markets (excluding food markets). States and territories will make their own announcements about this.

Weddings can be conducted with no more than five people, including the couple, the celebrant and the witnesses. The 4 square metre rule and social distancing must be observed.

Funerals must be limited to no more than 10 people. The 4 square metre rule and social distancing must be observed.

Hairdressers and barbers can continue to operate under strict new rules. The four square metre rule and social distancing must be observed. Clients must also not spend more than 30 minutes inside the premises.

Bootcamps and personal training can be conducted outdoors with no more than 10 people and social distancing observed.

Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast, campsites, caravan parks and boarding houses will be a decision for each state and territory.

By Geoff Adams

Shepparton News assistant editor