Two Australian States Are Easing Coronavirus Restrictions

(Bloomberg) -- The states of Queensland and Western Australia will ease coronavirus-related restrictions next week following signs of progress in the country’s fight against the pandemic.

Queensland will ease stay-at-home restrictions from 11:59pm on May 1, the government said Sunday in a statement. It will let people go for drives, have picnics, visit a national park and shop for non-essential items, as long as it’s within 50 kilometers of home and social distancing is maintained. Outings will be limited to members of the same household or an individual and a friend.

Restrictions on other gatherings and visitors will remain in place. The Queensland government will monitor coronavirus cases and will review the easing after two weeks, Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk said in the statement.

Western Australia will allow indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people from Monday, compared with the restriction of two persons introduced from March 30, the state’s government said in a statement. At the same time, all public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms will remain closed, while restaurants and food courts will continue to be limited to takeaways and home delivery.

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