On 22 March 2020, the Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers met as the National Cabinet. The Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings. Some state and territory governments have also implemented border restrictions. On 24 March 2020, the Prime Minister held a press conference announcing further restrictions.
Below is a summary of the information released on various government websites as at 23 March 2020 Click here to view a print friendly version.
Australian Federal Government
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
The following facilities are restricted from operating from midday on Monday 23 March 2020:
- Pubs, registered and licenced 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; and
- 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).
The following businesses and activities will be restricted from operating from midnight on Wednesday 25 March 2020:
- Auction houses and open houses;
- In-store beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage parlours (excluding health-related services like physiotherapists and other allied health services);
- Amusement parks, arcades and indoor and outdoor play centres;
- Community and recreation centres, health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre, spin facilities, saunas and wellness centres;
- Public swimming pools;
- Galleries, museums, national institutions, historic sites, libraries, community centres, youth centres; and
- Food courts within shopping centres will only be able to sell takeaway (shopping centres themselves will remain open).
The following businesses and activities can only operate as follows:
- Hairdressers and barber shops can continue to operate with the one person per 4sqm in the premises rule must be observed;
- Boot camps and personal training are limited to a maximum of 10 people;
- Weddings can continue, but only with the couple, the celebrant, and the witnesses- totalling a maximum of 5 people;
- Funerals are limited to a maximum of 10 people; and
- Food markets will be addressed by the states and territories.
These restrictions build on the following existing measures:
- No non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people outside or more than 100 people inside.
- All non-essential indoor gatherings of less than 100 people must have no more than one person per 4sqm.
- Where possible, keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
- Avoid non-essential travel.
- Restrictions on entering aged care homes to protect older Australians.
(‘Federal Restrictions’)
Border Restrictions
- From 9.00pm Friday 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
- All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel.
- Some exemptions are in place.
- It was announced on 24 March 2020 that Australians will be banned from travelling overseas. Exceptions to the ban will be provided in a directive.
Schools
Schools to remain open until the end of the current school term.
New South Wales
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
- Restrictions apply in NSW.The same Federal
- The official statement from the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian confirmed that supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, and home delivery will be among the many services that will remain open.
Border Restrictions
No current state border restrictions.
Schools
Schools to remain open, however, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has encouraged parents to keep their children at home to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Victoria
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
Same Federal Restrictions apply in Victoria.
Border Restrictions
No current state border restrictions.
Schools
Victorian school holidays have been brought forward to Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
Queensland
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
Same Federal Restrictions apply in Queensland.
Border Restrictions
From midnight on 25 March 2020, Queensland will implement the following border controls:
- Border road closures and police checks on vehicles on major highways;
- Advice to aircraft passengers at departure point that travellers to Queensland will be required to self-isolate for 14 days;
- Travellers arriving at Queensland airports to be met by police and other officers; and
- Termination of rail services.
Exemptions include:
- Freight;
- Emergency vehicles;
- Emergency workers;
- Those travelling to and from work;
- Court orders including family court;
- Compassionate grounds; and
- Medical treatment.
Anyone travelling to Queensland, not usually resident in Queensland, for any other reason will have to agree to self-isolate for 14 days.
Schools
No state-wide school closures as at Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
South Australia
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
Same Federal Restrictions apply in South Australia.
Border Restrictions
- From 4.00pm Tuesday, March 24, South Australia will implement border controls. Unless exempted, arrivals from interstate will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.
- Exemptions will apply for essential transport including health and medical supplies, and health personnel and patients, food and commercial supply chains (i.e. the carrying of goods), health workers, near border interactions, travel of a relative/carer of a dependant individual, and for emergency services.
- Other travellers (for example fly-in-fly-out workers in the mining industry or national level sporting teams) could be exempt from this provision provided they have approved disease control mechanisms in place.
Schools
No state-wide school closures as at Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
Western Australia
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
Same Federal Restrictions apply in Western Australia.
Border Restrictions
- From 1.30pm Tuesday 24 March 2020, Western Australia will implement border controls for all access points- by road, air and sea.
- Unless exempted, arrivals from interstate will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days.
- Arrivals will have to show they meet the essential criteria.
- Exemptions will apply to essential services and workers, including health and emergency services, defence and policing, mining industry workforces, flight crews and freight of essential goods, via ports and trucks.
Schools
No state-wide school closures as at Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
Tasmania
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
Same Federal Restrictions apply in Tasmania.
Border Restrictions
- From midnight, Friday 20 March 2020, Tasmania requires all non-essential travellers departing for Tasmania to quarantine for 14 days.
- The quarantine period will not apply to essential travellers – such as health care workers, emergency workers, defence personnel, air and ship crew, specialists, and essential freight personnel (truck drivers/spirit freight), and there will be stringent guidelines to manage this.
- All passengers will be screened on arrival and must demonstrate they meet the essential traveller criteria.
Schools
No state-wide school closures as at Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
Australian Capital Territory
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
- The same Federal Restrictions apply in the Australian Capital Territory.
- Over the next 48 hours, the Australian Capital Territory Government will proceed to a more comprehensive shut down of non-essential services.
Border Restrictions
No current state border restrictions.
Schools
Schools will be pupil free from Tuesday 24 March through to school holidays.
Northern Territory
Current Restrictions on Gatherings/Business Operations
The same Federal Restrictions apply in the Northern Territory.
Border Restrictions
- From 4pm Tuesday 24 March 2020, all non-essential travellers arriving at the Territory will be required to go through a police control checkpoint to verify their medical status and purpose of their travel into the Territory.
- If deemed to be a non-essential visitor, arrivals will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
- This will not affect lawful trade and commerce, essential will not be impacted, and the supply chain will continue.
Exemptions:
- People involved in National and State Security and Governance.
- Active Military personnel required to be on duty in the Territory while in the Territory.
- A member of the Commonwealth Parliament who is ordinarily resident in the Territory.
- Health service providers and personnel.
- Some transport, freight and logistics.
- Specialist skills critical to maintaining key industries or businesses or infrastructure.
- Emergency services.
- Other individuals or groups will be able to apply for an exemption to the Chief Health Officer, for instance visiting a terminally ill relative or medical grounds or interstate travel for essential medical treatment.
Schools
Schools to remain open through to the end of the current school term.
The situation is continuously evolving. For more detailed information and updates with respect to the COVID-19 government responses, please check the following websites:
Australian Government
NSW Government
Victorian Government
Queensland Government
South Australian Government
Western Australian Government
Tasmanian Government
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory Government
