This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-52496725

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Northern Territory first in Australia to lift major restrictions Coronavirus: Australia eyes early lifting of virus restrictions
(about 4 hours later)
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 will review its virus lockdown earlier than expected, says Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Group limits will be removed for weddings, funerals and sport while parks and pools will also open. Health officials say the nation has "pretty convincingly" flattened its virus spread after weeks of strict social restrictions.
Australia's least populated territory - which counted 28 cases - says it will ease all lockdown measures by June. Officials were due to review freedoms on 11 May but this will now be brought forward to 8 May. Mr Morrison said Australians had "earned an early mark".
The rest of the nation is also beginning to open up after success in containing the virus. The call came as several states allow their residents new freedoms on Friday.
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 Northern Territory became the first to lift major restrictions, re-opening public parks and pools and removing attendance limits for gatherings from midday.
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. New South Wales, which includes Sydney, also opened up to allow households to have two adult visitors at a time.
Australia had "pretty much crushed" its virus curve, said deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly on Friday. The most-populous state accounts for near half of the nation's 6,700 cases. But numbers had continually dwindled in recent weeks, and fewer than 20 cases were being reported per day.
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. "[We have] pretty convincingly flattened the curve," said chief medical officer Dr Brendan Murphy.
What are the changes in the NT?
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.
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.
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, authorities said they were still wary of lifting restrictions too early and re-iterated the need for "millions more" Australians to download a tracing app released this week.
What's happening in the other states? "We need that tool so we can open the economy," said Mr Morrison. "So if you haven't downloaded the app yet, download it."
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. So far, 3.5 million people in the nation of 25 million have signed up to it.
However NSW - the state with the highest number of reported cases - began allowing household visits on Friday and has already re-opened beaches. What restrictions have been eased so far?
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 Friday, the Northern Territory - a remote, sparsely populated region - lifted major social restrictions in a move seen as a test case for the rest of the nation.
On Thursday, the Australian Capital Territory - which holds the nation's capital Canberra - also announced it had no more known active cases. "Because we are the safest place in Australia, we can do this before the rest of Australia," said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
Locals must maintain a 1.5m (5ft) distance from others, but can now visit parks and swimming holes and play non-contact sport.
The territory will look to remove all restrictions by 5 June, and have restaurants and pubs back open for dining in mid-May. However, officials will keep a ban on travel to vulnerable Aboriginal communities in the outback.
Other states have also begun a cautious roll-back.
NSW - the state with the highest number of reported cases - began allowing household visits on Friday and has already re-opened beaches.
The Australian Capital Territory - around the nation's capital, Canberra - will also allow social visits after announcing on Thursday it had eliminated its virus cases.
Queensland will permit shopping trips for non-essential goods while Western Australia will allow 10 people at gatherings - up from the previous limit of two.
Meanwhile, Victoria, the second most-populous state, says it will stick with its existing lockdown until the national review next Friday. Premier Daniel Andrew said the situation remained "very fragile" despite the low reported numbers.