
PM confirms all borders will be open by Christmas - with one exception.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today confirmed that state borders will be open by Christmas, with one exception.
After a national cabinet meeting with state premiers on Friday, Morrison said, "That is a plan to have Australian open … with the exception of Western Australia".
"The plan importantly embeds public health metrics in ensuring that when Australia opens safely that it remains open safely, and that is incredibly important."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed that her state was on track to relax travel bans.
"Of course, there is a national aspiration, of course, to have the borders open before Christmas," she said.
"In relation to Victoria, we’re very encouraged with what’s happening down there. And we will be looking very closely at the end of the month at Victoria, and also New South Wales. There may be some hot spots. Dr Young will assess this at the end of the month. But we are very encouraged with what we are seeing in Victoria at this stage."
South Australia will lift all its border restrictions with Victoria on December 1, with no requirement for travellers to quarantine in hotels or at home.
Premier Steven Marshall says the change will bring Victoria in line with SA's rules for all other states, but is dependent on no major new outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the next two weeks.
"This (hard border closure) has been in place for an extended period of time and it's been important to keep our state safe," Mr Marshall said on Friday.
"It has been our first line of defence."
Queensland restrictions ease.
Queensland sporting venues will be allowed to reach maximum capacity in time for next week's State of Origin decider in Brisbane as part of a series of COVID-19 restrictions to be eased from 4pm next Tuesday.
Capacity in pubs, restaurants and places of worship will also increase as the one person per four square metre rule relaxes to one person per two square metres inside venues, while gatherings in homes and public spaces will increase from 40 to 50.
Ticketed seated venues for live music and theatre will also increase from 50 to 100 per cent capacity, and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young urged people attending to wear a mask on entry and exit of sellout events.
Performers can reduce the distance from the audience from 4m to 2m, except choirs which remain at 4m.
The cap for weddings and funerals will increase to 200, and outdoor events with a COVID safe checklist will rise from 1000 to 1500 people.
Larger events require a COVID safe plan.
Top Comments