Heading to the gym for a workout or getting your nails done is finally on the horizon as lockdown restrictions across the country continue to ease.
South Australia is the first state to officially set a date for gyms and salons to reopen, announcing that businesses can reopen from June 5.
The reopening date was initially set for June 8, but after no new cases have been recorded for six days, the state government brought the date forward.
It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this month announced a three-step plan to relax restrictions by July and get Australia back to normality.
Stage two of the new measures will also be introduced in South Australia on June 5, three days earlier than scheduled, clearing the way for pubs to reopen and take advantage of the June long weekend.
SA – which currently has no active cases of COVID-19 – will reopen gyms and beauty salons from June 5
National baseline rules will be relaxed in three stages, with less risky activities such as outdoor sport and dining out starting before more dangerous ones such as going to the gym and the cinema.
The first step will allow gatherings of ten people outside and at cafes and restaurants. The second step allows gatherings of 20 with gyms, salons and cinemas back open. The third stage allows 100 people to come together with pubs open and flights to New Zealand and Pacific islands.
State and territory leaders will decide when they move between stages.
Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said it made sense to bring SA’s date forward in time for the June long weekend, as she also backed the new case-by-case approach.
‘We have the flexibility to make changes … not only because we have no cases but because South Australians continue to get tested,’ she said.
New South Wales
Gyms in NSW are expected to reopen during stage two of the three-stage roadmap to recovery.
But there is no official date for when residents can look forward to heading back to their local gym or fitness centre.
In the mean time, NSW residents can get their daily exercise in at the beach with swimming and surfing permitted.
Outdoor boot camps with 10 people have also been reintroduced in public outdoor areas.
Outdoor boot camps with up to ten people have also been reintroduced in public outdoor areas in NSW
Spas, nail, beauty, waxing, and tanning salons may open only to sell retail goods and gift vouchers
Up to 10 people can take part in non-contact sports as long as social distancing rules are adhered to.
As far as beauty salons reopening goes, hairdressers and barbers are allowed to remain open as long as there is only one person per four square metres.
Spas, nail, beauty, waxing, and tanning salons may open only to sell retail goods and gift vouchers.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she’s received mounting pressure from small businesses desperate to welcome back customers.
‘I won’t talk about my own personal grooming but it’s fair to say I’ve been lobbied by half the population,’ Ms Berejiklian said with a laugh on Thursday.
Victoria
As with NSW, there is no hard date for when gyms will reopen in Victoria.
Gyms are set to open their doors when the state reaches stage two of the three stage roadmap to recovery, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has not set a date for Step Two measures.
As long as social distancing is adhered to, Victorians are currently allowed to participate in outdoor sports such as golf, athletics, hiking, fishing and playing football with up to ten players.
Outdoor bootcamps of up to ten people are also permitted.
Hairdressing salons and barber shops can remain open with no more than one person per four square metres.
All beauty salons, spas, nail salons, waxing salons, tanning salons and massage parlours are to remain closed for now.
Allied health services like physiotherapy remain open.
When Victoria eventually brings in Step Two, 20 customers will be allowed into beauty salons.
Gyms in Victoria are set to open their doors when the state reaches stage two of the three stage roadmap to recovery, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has not set a date for Step Two measures
Queensland
Outdoor training is currently allowed in Queensland, while gyms are expected to reopen on June 13 when the state hopes to enter stage two of the recovery plan.
From July 10, when the state hopes to enter Step Three, 100 people will be allowed in gyms.
Queenslanders are currently allowed to participate in outdoor activities, and up to 10 people can play non-contact sports, attend out-door boot camps and group training.
Outdoor training is currently allowed in Queensland, while gyms are expected to reopen on June 13 when the state hopes to enter stage two of the recovery plan
Waxing, laser treatments, nails, eyelash extensions and facials are allowed, but spray tans are still prohibited in Queensland
Hairdressing salons and barber shops can remain open as long as the one person per four square metre rule is observed.
From May 15, all beauty salons were allowed to open to 10 clients at time.
Waxing, laser treatments, nails, eyelash extensions and facials are allowed, but spray tans are still prohibited.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, up to 20 people are currently allowed to take part in indoor and outdoor fitness classes or boot camps as long as there’s no shared equipment.
Public pools (1 indoor and 1 outdoor) are open for swimming under strict rules, with up to 20 patrons allowed per pool at a time.
Non-contact community sports up to 20 participants are also allowed currently.
Phase three of the roadmap to recovery will allow beauty therapy and personal care services to start up again.
However, it’s not yet known when WA Premier Mark McGowan will move to the third step.
It’s not yet known when Western Australian gyms will reopen. In the meantime, to 20 people are currently allowed to take part in indoor and outdoor fitness classes or boot camps
Hairdressers and barber shops can remain open with no more than one person per 4 square metres. with no more than one person per 4 square metres
Phase three will be based on the Chief Health Officer’s advice, taking into account infection rates across WA.
It is expected to be implemented about 4 weeks from the start of Phase Two, which begun on May 18.
Hairdressers and barber shops can remain open with no more than one person per 4 square metres.
WA residents still can’t get any beauty treatments, but beauty salons, massage parlours and cosmetic clinics can reopen to sell goods and gift vouchers.
Tasmania
From June 15, Tasmanians will be allowed to head back to the gym or boot camp when stage two restrictions kick off around the state.
Beauty services including tattoo parlours will also reopen mid-June.
Residents in Tasmania are currently allowed to gather in groups of 10 for outdoor recreational activities.
Activities include horse riding, boating, fishing and group fitness in outdoor areas, as long as the 1.5-metre rule is followed.
Hairdressers are currently operating while following social distancing measures including the one person per four square metre rule
Australian Capital Territory
Gyms in the ACT are on track to open their doors during stage two of the Federal Government’s roadmap to recovery, but an official date has not been set yet.
Ten people can currently gather in public places, and non-contact sports can take place outdoors.
Hairdressers are currently operating while following social distancing rules.
However, beauty salons, tattoo and body modification parlours and massage parlours remain closed for now.
Northern Territory
Gyms in the Northern Territory have been open since May 15, with strict sanitisation and social distancing rules in place.
The NT is currently operating beauty salon businesses on a case by case basis.
All beauty therapy, massage and nail salons are allowed to reopen but only after each business submits the government’s COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist.