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| Coronavirus: Northern Territory first in Australia to lift major restrictions | Coronavirus: Northern Territory first in Australia to lift major restrictions |
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| Australia's vast Northern Territory will become the first in the nation to move out of lockdown on Friday with the lifting of major restrictions. | Australia's vast Northern Territory will become the first in the nation to move out of lockdown on Friday with the lifting of major restrictions. |
| Group limits will be removed for weddings, funerals and sport while parks and pools will also open. | |
| Australia's least populated territory - which counted 28 cases - says it will ease all lockdown measures by June. | |
| The rest of the nation is also beginning to open up after success in containing the virus. | The rest of the nation is also beginning to open up after success in containing the virus. |
| The most-populous state, New South Wales, which includes Sydney, will allow some socialisation to resume on Friday, with households allowed to have two adult visitors at a time. | The most-populous state, New South Wales, which includes Sydney, will allow some socialisation to resume on Friday, with households allowed to have two adult visitors at a time. |
| There are currently around 6,700 cases nationally, but in recent weeks the daily increase rate has dropped to under 1% compared to more than 25% in mid-March. | There are currently around 6,700 cases nationally, but in recent weeks the daily increase rate has dropped to under 1% compared to more than 25% in mid-March. |
| Australia had "pretty much crushed" its virus curve, said deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly on Friday. | Australia had "pretty much crushed" its virus curve, said deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly on Friday. |
| However, both federal and state authorities say they will be cautious in lifting restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged citizens to download a contact-tracing app to make the process safer. | However, both federal and state authorities say they will be cautious in lifting restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged citizens to download a contact-tracing app to make the process safer. |
| What are the changes in the NT? | What are the changes in the NT? |
| The territory has reported zero new infections for more than three weeks now. | The territory has reported zero new infections for more than three weeks now. |
| "Because we are the safest place in Australia, we can do this before the rest of Australia," said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner in the state capital, Darwin, on Thursday. | "Because we are the safest place in Australia, we can do this before the rest of Australia," said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner in the state capital, Darwin, on Thursday. |
| Locals must maintain a 1.5m (5ft) distance from others, but from Friday they can visit parks and swimming holes and play non-contact sport. | Locals must maintain a 1.5m (5ft) distance from others, but from Friday they can visit parks and swimming holes and play non-contact sport. |
| In mid-May, restaurants and pubs will be able to open for dining while gyms, nail salons and libraries will also resume service. All other restrictions will be removed in early June. | In mid-May, restaurants and pubs will be able to open for dining while gyms, nail salons and libraries will also resume service. All other restrictions will be removed in early June. |
| Summarising the changes, Mr Gunner described it as: "May 15 date night, June 5 Sunday sesh [pub drinking session]". | Summarising the changes, Mr Gunner described it as: "May 15 date night, June 5 Sunday sesh [pub drinking session]". |
| Australia coronavirus news: | Australia coronavirus news: |
| However he said opening state borders would happen "dead last" to prevent any chance of a second wave. Officials will also keep an existing travel ban to the dozens of vulnerable Aboriginal communities in the outback. | However he said opening state borders would happen "dead last" to prevent any chance of a second wave. Officials will also keep an existing travel ban to the dozens of vulnerable Aboriginal communities in the outback. |
| What's happening in the other states? | What's happening in the other states? |
| Victoria, the second most-populous state, says it will stick with its restrictions until 11 May, saying the situation remained "very fragile" despite low numbers. | Victoria, the second most-populous state, says it will stick with its restrictions until 11 May, saying the situation remained "very fragile" despite low numbers. |
| However NSW - the state with the highest number of reported cases - began allowing household visits on Friday and has already re-opened beaches. | However NSW - the state with the highest number of reported cases - began allowing household visits on Friday and has already re-opened beaches. |
| Movement restrictions have also eased in several states - including Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia - which have all reported no community transmission and zero new cases on several days this week. | Movement restrictions have also eased in several states - including Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia - which have all reported no community transmission and zero new cases on several days this week. |
| On Thursday, the Australian Capital Territory - which holds the nation's capital Canberra - also announced it had no more known active cases. | On Thursday, the Australian Capital Territory - which holds the nation's capital Canberra - also announced it had no more known active cases. |