Australian Health chief explains what should open soon and what may be closed for a YEAR

Sporting events such as football and cricket are expected to remain closed to spectators until at least 2021.

It is also likely that Australia’s borders may not open until a vaccine for the coronavirus exists. 

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said Victoria’s stage-three restrictions would be lifted gradually meaning there would be no large gatherings for a while.  

However pubs and restaurants could be opened in the coming months with relaxed social distancing restrictions. 

Large live sporting events such as football and cricket are expected to remain closed to spectators (pictured: a crowd cheers as Nathan Lyon throws a beachball into the crowd during the Fourth Test Match in the 2017/18 Ashes series in Melbourne)

Victoria’s stage-three restrictions would be lifted gradually meaning there would be no large gatherings (a stock image of a concert pictured) for a while

Professor Sutton said the state’s current social distancing measures are going to be reviewed on May 11, The Age reported.

But he said Victorians should not be expecting a dramatic change but rather gradual relaxation over the coming months.

‘It might be three or four or five or six layers peeled off over some months. But there’ll be something in place that constrains us until there’s a vaccine,’ he said.

The Chief Health Officer said ‘MCG-type gatherings’ will be banned until a vaccination is found or unless the government is willing to spread the disease through the community.

The strict international travel ban could mean sporting events such as the T20 cricket World Cup and the Australian Open may not go ahead. 

Professor Sutton hopes other things, such as restaurants and pubs, may be able to go back to normal if testing and hygiene measures are in place.

Relaxation of the current restraints will mean Victorians may be able to leave their home for reasons other than work, exercise, shopping or for medical reasons.

‘You could probably go out for other things where you haven’t got that gathering of people, other activities where you can keep that distance,’ Professor Sutton said. 

This means the opening of pubs, restaurants, clubs and bars could be the reality in the coming months. 

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the state’s current social distancing measures are going to be reviewed on May 11

Relaxation of the current restraints will mean Victorians may be able to leave their home for reasons other than work, exercise, shopping or for medical reasons (stock image of a bar)

Professor Sutton slammed comments made by people wanting to open up the economy because of the slowed rate of infections.

‘We’re only here because of what we’ve done. We’ll only continue to be here by having some measure of what we’ve done continue,’ he said. 

Authorities are warning Victorians against complacency as people continue flouting isolation restrictions, with just one more coronavirus case confirmed in the state.

The case announced on Friday brings the Victorian infection rate down to levels last seen in February.

There are now 1302 COVID-19 cases in Victoria with 32 patients in hospital, including 13 in intensive care.

Despite the optimism out of the positive update, Premier Daniel Andrews warned Victorians about the ongoing risks.

The strict international travel ban could mean sporting events such as the T20 cricket World Cup, AFL (pictured at the Melbourne Cricket Ground) and Australian Open may not go ahead

Australia’s borders may not open until a vaccine for the coronavirus exists.  Travellers arriving at Sydney International Airport

‘People are best to plan that the current settings remain in place for four weeks,’ he said.

‘I know people are being asked not to do the things that they love but if we don’t have any rules at all, we don’t have numbers like this where we’ve just got one more case.’

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 6,526

New South Wales: 2,926

Victoria: 1,302

Queensland: 1,007

South Australia: 435

Western Australia: 541

Australian Capital Territory: 103

Tasmania: 184

Northern Territory: 28

TOTAL CASES:  6,526

RECOVERED: 3,821

DEAD: 65

Mr Andrews praised Victorians for their resilience and slammed those who ignored social distancing rules.

Police said they had carried out 540 checks at homes since Thursday and issued 67 fines, including for 13 people playing poker and four friends at a house.

Western Bulldogs vice-captain Lachie Hunter is expected to face drink-driving and traffic charges over collisions with parked cars in Melbourne and was fined for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

Penalties for people ignoring restrictions can receive spot fines up to $1652. They can also be taken to court and receive a fine up to $20,000.

The new positive case in Victoria came after 2700 tests were run in the past 24 hours.

Mr Andrews said he would meet Professor Brett Sutton to discuss what further steps would be needed before lifting restrictions, including increased testing and contact tracing.

‘While we are starting to see some improvement in the rate of transmission, that rate could climb quickly if we lose focus,’ Professor Sutton said. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk