COVID-19: What does it mean for me as an Australian?

On 24 March 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a range of new measures to combat the potential impacts of COVID-19.

To date, over 161,000 Australians have been tested for the virus, and more than 2,000 cases have been confirmed. The majority of cases have been from people returning from overseas, and those who have had direct contact with people returning from overseas.

The Federal Government, together with State and Territory Governments, are prioritising social isolation measures, and the strict and rapid contact tracing of individuals. The advice continues to be that Australians should practice social distancing; should stay at home, unless shopping for essentials, travelling to and from work where you cannot work from home, going to school, or exercising. In addition, visitors to your home should be kept to a minimum.

: what are the rules and restrictions in Australia?

The rules and restrictions are frequently changing; therefore we have collated a list of current and new measures, which could be of assistance. These include:

• A ban on Australian citizens travelling overseas, subject to some exceptions including travel that is essential, in the national interest, or on humanitarian or compassionate grounds.
• A ban on non-urgent elective surgeries.
• Cafés and food and drink premises in shopping centre food courts can only sell takeaway or home delivery.
• Real estate auctions can take place online only, and not at the property or in auction rooms.
• Open house inspections cannot take place, however, there can be private appointments for inspections.
• Hairdressers and barbershops can operate, but only for appointments of up to 30 minutes and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.
• Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas and massage parlours cannot operate.
• Entertainment venues such as cinemas, nightclubs, casinos, gaming or gambling venues, amusement centres, arcades and play centres (indoor and outdoor) cannot operate.
• Concert venues, theatres, arenas, auditoriums, and stadiums cannot open, however, the live streaming of a performance by a small group is allowed where social distancing is observed.
• Community and recreation centres cannot open except where they are for the purpose of essential such as food banks or homeless .
Social sporting-based activities and the use of swimming pools cannot occur.
• Galleries, museums, libraries, community centres, youth centres, libraries, community halls, clubs, RSLs and PCYCs cannot open.
• Places of worship cannot open.
• A maximum of 5 people can attend a wedding, and the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies.
• A maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral, and the 1 person per 4 square metre rule

: what will not change?

Further, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has clarified that:

• Schools remain open.
• Medical centres and pharmacies remain open.
• Retail stores, including supermarkets and bottle shops, remain open.

There are more rules and restrictions to come, including for example the arrangements for rental payments, and restrictions on residential facilities such as hotels, hostels, campsites and caravan parks.

In addition, a National Coordination Commission will be established.

Do you need help?

The rules are changing on a regular basis. Hunt & Hunt Lawyers will continue to monitor these changes and will provide further updates as new information becomes available. Please reach out to us if you require further information, or to discuss your specific circumstances.