Following the Prime Minister and National Cabinet’s recent roadmap to a COVIDSafe Australia, states and territories have announced their plans for easing restrictions, as the economy prepares to move from crisis to recovery.
Restaurants, cafes, and shops are open as part of stage one, with gyms, cinemas, and beauty reopening in stage two and food courts reopening in stage three.
The ARA’s CEO Paul Zahra commented that this roadmap will provide retailers with the confidence to reopen and a framework for anticipating when the Australian economy will return to full operation.
“Retail is Australia’s largest private employer, with more than 1.3 million people, or almost 10% of the workforce, working in 135,000 businesses across the country. It contributes $325 billion to the national economy.”
Mr Zahra said while there is likely to be some enthusiasm from consumers as shops move towards open their doors, retailers, and customers need to remain cautious and ensure they maintain the hygiene and social distancing practices.
“The safety of customers and staff is our top priority, and retailers are making every effort to prepare a safe in-store environment and abide by restrictions specific to each state and territory. Shoppers can expect the continuation of measures such as social distancing, limited numbers in stores and increased hygiene and cleaning. These will be a regular feature for some time and will require extra patience and sensitivity from retail staff and customers,” Mr Zahra said.
The national cabinet’s three-stage plan will be reviewed every three weeks from now to July, for reopening Australian businesses as the coronavirus pandemic eases.
See below for the recent restriction updates in each State and Territory
- ACT: Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced an ease on restrictions in the ACT on Friday, 8 May, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people in indoor or outdoor settings. Cafes and restaurants will remain closed for all dine-in customers. A limit of 20 people will be applied to indoor funerals and 30 people for outdoor funerals.
- NSW: Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces NSW will further ease COVID-19
restrictions across the State from Friday 15th May. - QLD: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk signalled they will move to Stage 1 from 11.59pm on Friday, May 15, Stage 2 from 11.59pm on Friday 12 June and Stage 3 likely Friday 10 July. Stage 1 will permit a gathering of max 10 people in a public space. Further details here.
- VIC: Premier Daniel Andrews released updates on restrictions in Victoria today. Updates can be found here.
- SA: Premier Steven Marshall announced they will begin to re-open, with Stage 1 commencing today, 11 May and Stage 2 on Monday, 8 June.
- WA: The McGowan Government has released a roadmap to carefully ease COVID-19 restrictions, to start getting Western Australians back to work safely and begin the process of re-starting the State’s economy. See the WA roadmap here.
- TAS: Premier Peter Gutwein announced Stage 1 will begin today, 11 May and will increase the number of people allowed to attend funerals from 10 to 20. From 18 May, public gatherings will increase to 10 people except for households, which is capped at 5 people. Further details here.
- NT: Lifted some physical distancing rules last Friday. The next milestone is 15 May where some indoor activities will be allowed as long as they take less than 2 hours e.g. going to the gym, eating at a cafe or restaurant. From 5 June, all businesses will be allowed to reopen as long as they have a COVID-19 plan. More details here.
For more information, updates and resources, visit: https://www.australian-retailers-association.com/updates-for-retailers-coronavirus
