The NSW Government Says No New COVID-19 Restrictions Will Be Eased Before Mother's Day
The national cabinet is expected to announce the relaxation of some restrictions tomorrow, but the NSW Premier says they will not be implemented locally in time for the weekend.
Australia's national cabinet is expected to announce the nationwide relaxation of some social distancing and public gathering restrictions tomorrow, Friday, May 8. But, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today revealed they will not be implemented in time for Mother's Day.
At a press conference this morning, the Premier said, "even if national cabinet does suggest easing of restrictions, which NSW will consider very carefully, they won't be able to be made in time for Mother's Day." As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the national cabinet releases Australia-wide guidelines or principles and it's then up to the individual states and territory leaders to implement them as they see fit.
Some news outlets are reporting tomorrow's national cabinet announcement will include the allowing of gatherings of up to ten people inside a home — which is already the case in SA and WA — but Sydneysiders will have to make do with smaller gatherings for now.
Last week, the NSW Government allowed groups of two adults (with their children) to visit a second household, which will still be the case this weekend. As the Premier reiterated this morning, this new relaxed rule allows for multiple visits throughout a day (but a maximum of two adult visitors at any time) and there is no limit on how far you can travel within the state.
While NSW will not get to enjoy any new restrictions this weekend, the Premier said that by the end of June "life will feel a lot more normal than it does now... Please look forward to having life get back to a bit more normality very soon and please know that a couple of weeks into May you'll start feeling the difference already."
A maximum of two adults in NSW can go and visit another household, but all other social distancing and public gathering restrictions are in place for now.
