Coronavirus Australia: NSW, Victoria Will Not Lift COVID-19 Restrictions For Mother's Day
Major states in Australia will remain on lockdown and will not relax social distancing restrictions by Mother’s Day despite reports Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be announcing the easing of measures this weekend.
New South Wales and Victoria will not be lifting its coronavirus restrictions this weekend in time for Mother’s Day celebrations on Sunday (May 10). The premiers of both states have clarified that unlike their counterparts, big group gatherings will still be prohibited.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed he will not be making announcements about the lifting before May 11, when the state of emergency officially expires.
“I can tell you what I will be doing on Mother’s Day – I will not be visiting my mum,” Andrews said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also told reporters on Thursday that families will have to plan ahead if they want to visit mom this Sunday.
“Without wanting to be the bearer of bad news, whilst national cabinet is considering easing some restrictions from Friday in terms of the national guidelines, I doubt that NSW will be in a position to implement anything before Mother’s Day,” Berejiklian said. This means only two adults and their children may visit another household.
Berejiklian clarified that unlike other smaller states, NSW has to deal with the pandemic in a different way to make sure surges in confirmed COVID-19 cases will not happen.
Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has relaxed measures in time for the holiday. Starting Sunday, groups of five people can visit another household.
“I really want to thank Queenslanders for a great job that they have been doing right across our state and I think this is going to be welcomed by families, especially on Mother's Day, starting this Sunday,” the premier said.
Australia has done an impressive job in curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus thus far. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II even commended the country for its impressive measures in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
According to the Department of Health, as of May 6, 3:00 p.m., there are 6,875 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and 97 deaths. Close to 6,000 have already recovered.
