Finally! PM announces when Australians can expect to go to the PUB as he sets out his road map for lifting lockdown restrictions
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced pubs and clubs will likely open by July under his new stage three plan to relax coronavirus restrictions.
Mr Morrison announced details of the National Cabinet’s long-awaited plan following a meeting with the state and territory leaders on Friday afternoon.
The prime minister said all restrictions will be relaxed in three stages, with authorities hoping to reach the third stage in two months time.
By stage three, ‘pubs and clubs with some restrictions will be open, and also possibly gaming venues,’ Mr Morrison said.
The current national baseline rules will be relaxed in three stages, with less risky activities such as sport and dining out starting before more dangerous ones such as clubbing and going to the cinema
But it will be up to state and territory governments to determine when the steps are reached.
Mr Morrison said governments could choose to open pubs and clubs to ten people from the beginning of stage one and to 20 people in stage two.
But ‘it will be level three before bars and nightclub-type venues without seated dining would be open’, he said.
EARLIER
Mr Morrison estimates the plan can restore 850,000 jobs – after one million were lost due to the lockdowns.
Under the first step, gatherings of up to ten people will be allowed and cafes and restaurants can re-open with a maximum of ten people at one time.
‘It will see children back in classrooms and in play grounds in their communities. Golfers back on the green. Lap swimmers back in the pool. Boot camps back in the parks. Retail and small cafes and restaurants reopening,’ Mr Morrison said.
The second stage will allow gatherings of up to 20 people. Gyms, cinemas, and beauty therapies can restart as well as some inter-state travel.
Working from home will still be encouraged where possible under steps one and two.
Step three involves opening up most of the economy with gatherings of up to 100 people.
‘Pubs and clubs with some restrictions will be open. And also possibly gaming venues,’ Mr Morrison said.
The Prime Minister warned that outbreaks will happen but, in a message to cautious state premiers, he said: ‘Outbreaks are not a reason to slow things down.’
‘Outbreaks are going to happen. All Premiers and chief ministers understand that. And so it’s how you respond to them,’ he said.
A ‘roadmap’ showing the way out of lockdown was presented to Australians on Friday. Pictured: Volleyball on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in March