States confirm border opening dates, as Australian venue capacities get scrapped
There’s been plenty of news over the weekend on the easing of coronavirus restrictions across Australia. Here’s Travel Weekly’s breakdown of everything you need to know.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed thousands of fans will soon be able to return to sporting events and limits on the number of people at indoor venues will be scrapped.
It came after Friday’s National Cabinet meeting heard that all states and territories were on track to complete the move to the new stage three restrictions next month, according to ABC News.
A limit of 100 people on indoor gatherings will also be scrapped, with no limit on numbers, but a requirement that venues allow for four square metres of space per person.
Morrison said that would allow for weddings, funerals and other indoor events to only be limited by the size of their venue. Nightclubs would remain shut, he said.
There’s also been plenty of news state-by-state, with Queensland and South Australia flagging July dates for the opening of their domestic borders and the Northern Territory expected to follow suit.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Western Australia
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has come under fire for refusing to set a date for the reopening of his interstate borders, despite coming under increased pressure from the Prime Minister.
According to ABC News, Morrison voiced concerns in an address on Friday that by the end of July Australians will be able to travel anywhere throughout the country except for WA.
“I think the only state or territory likely to fall out of that is still possibly Western Australia, but there is a commitment from the Premier to continue to look at this issue,” he said.
However, since then, the federal government has announced it will join a legal fight in the High Court against WA’s border closures, which includes the likes of Clive Palmer and state tourism operators.
Queensland
Meanwhile, Queensland has brought forward its expected border reopening date to 10 July, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last month flagged restrictions might last into September.
It comes after the Prime Minister reportedly forced the issue of domestic border restrictions at Friday’s National Cabinet meeting, with many states and territories nominating dates for reopening.
However, the state’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, said the 10 July date could be brought forward sooner if Australian cases remained low.
While the possibly of a travel ‘bubble’ between NSW and Queensland remains on the cards, should Victorian cases of COVID-19 remain higher than elsewhere in the country, according to Health Minister Steven Miles.
Separately, the Palaszcuk government announced it will provide $5 million to 15 of the state’s airports to “secure new domestic flights to fast-track the tourism industry’s economic recovery”.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the initiative followed the government’s recent partnership with Whitsundays Regional Council that secured Alliance Airlines flights to fly four times a week between Brisbane and the Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) Airport starting on 22 June 2020.
“We know that tourism operators right across the state are hurting due to COVID-19,” she said.
“This funding will allow thousands more Queenslanders to explore their own state and will pump millions of dollars into communities that rely on tourism.”
Jones said the announcement could support 1,500 to 1,600 jobs per year over a three-year period, with each flight tipped to generate up to 50 jobs along the supply chain.
The announcement came as the Sunshine Coast’s newest runway – over half a kilometre longer than the one it replaces – was officially handed over to airport operators on Friday.
“With a longer runway that’s able to accept bigger planes, we’ll be able to negotiate with airlines to secure direct fights from other destinations – not just Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland,” Jones said.
South Australia
South Australia will open its borders on Monday 20 July, Premier Steven Marshall has announced.
However, according to 9 News, legal advice is still being sought on whether travellers from some regions will still have to self-isolate upon entering the state.
Marshall said stage three restriction changes have been brought forward.
“From the 20 July we will be removing all state borders, so this will remove the restriction that was placed on everybody returning to South Australia, whether they were a South Australian coming back or somebody from interstate coming over,” he said, as reported by 9 News.
“Now, the international border remains, but as of the 20 July, the state border will be removed for all states.
“We will be looking at some of the state borders with individual jurisdictions who are doing particularly well.
“We don’t want to unnecessarily detain people for two weeks of isolation if they don’t pose a health risk to us in South Australia.”
Moreover, from this Friday, the state’s 20-person room limit for venues, including pubs, theatres and cinemas, will increase to 75.
The total cap on people per venue will also be upped from 80 to 300, Marshall announced.
The rule, which would originally have seen limits on 100 people per room at stage three, will be replaced with a one person per four square metres rule, as per the National Cabinet meeting.
Northern Territory
Meanwhile, it is expected that Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner will name 20 July as the territory’s domestic border reopening date, off the back of Queensland and South Australia’s announcements.
NT News claims Gunner has reportedly been forced to shift ground on his previous hard-line stand in the wake of a campaign to open up in July by the News Corp publication and Territory businesses.
A spokesman for Mr Gunner told NT News the Chief Minister would “likely” give a date by the end of next week to Territorians for the opening of the territory’s borders.
That news would come in the nick of time, off the back of Qantas’ expanded network of flights across Australia, with increased flight capacity to the Northern Territory.
New South Wales
The NSW government has updated its plan to expand indoor venues’ capacities from Wednesday, 1 July, scrapping the upper limit on patrons per event in favour of the one person per four square metres rule.
All activity for events, however, must be seated only, the state government said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro also advised the government would consider further solutions for smaller venues, particularly in regional NSW, where the one person per four square metres rule is “not practical for small businesses”.
It comes after the state earlier this month scrapped intrastate travel restrictions ahead of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Victoria
On Sunday, the Victorian government announced businesses and venues, including bars, cinemas, and libraries, can host up to 50 seated people – with no requirement to purchase meals with drinks – from next Monday, 22 June.
Furthermore, from 20 July, electronic gaming areas at pubs, clubs and the casino will be reopened with strict distancing, cleaning and hygiene requirements.
While ski season and ski accommodation will also open from 22 June.
The state government also announced a new targeted testing program to focus on local government areas with low testing rates, communities with high case numbers, high-risk workforces and vulnerable groups.
It also revealed $9.8 million in funding to extend the current emergency accommodation stays for people experiencing homelessness, and plan their pathway out into more stable long-term housing.
Tasmania
Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein has flagged more restrictions across the island-sate will be lifted this week, off the back of no current active COVID-19 cases.
From midday Wednesday, further lifting of restrictions will see 80 people allowed for indoor and outdoor gatherings, including at gyms, pubs, restaurants, and weddings and funerals.
Social distancing and density restrictions will still apply.
Stage three of easing restrictions had been scheduled to begin in mid-July, but is now set to occur on 26 June, with the reopening of markets, food courts, casinos and nightclubs, and camping trips for school groups.
Caps on the number of people permitted at gatherings would be removed and replaced solely with density requirements, ABC News reported.
However, Gutwein has not committed to set a date for the reopening of Tasmania’s domestic border, despite calls from the Prime Minister for all borders across the nation to open in July.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory has outlined more restrictions to be eased from lunchtime this Friday.
Competitive sports will resume, cinemas, theatres and indoor play centres will reopen and businesses will be allowed up to 100 people in their venues, while maintaining social distancing, ABC News reported.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT government was working on how to reopen major events, following an announcement from National Cabinet that stadiums could reopen.
As it stands, the territory is currently in stage two of its recovery plan, with the move to stage 2.2 on Friday, 19 June, to also allow people to order an alcoholic drink at a bar without needing to order food.
However, all customers will still need to be seated.
Featured image: iStock/jamenpercy
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Australian Capital Territory domestic travel new south wales queensland south australia tasmania victoria Western AustraliaLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.