The federal government has laid out a recovery roadmap for the coronavirus crisis but Australians are being warned that rebuilding the economy will be a huge and lengthy task.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday announced a three stage plan to lift restrictions across the nation, with the backing of the national cabinet, although it will be up to individual states and territories when they are implemented.
Mr Morrison is aiming for stage three to be implemented by July, with the lifting of restrictions getting 850,000 people back to work.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Saturday insisted the states and territories are moving in "one direction" in easing coronavirus restrictions.
But frictions again emerged between federal Liberal MPs and Daniel Andrews over the Victorian Premier's handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday laid out Australia's roadmap for coronavirus recovery. Source: SBS
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said it was appropriate for the states and territories to make their own decisions on when to move to particular stages.
"I don't think anyone wants to see these restrictions imposed for one day longer than is necessary, but they also don't want to see the health advice of respective state authorities ignored," he said on Saturday.
Moving to stage one
Stage one kicks off with restaurants, cafes and shops being will be allowed to reopen, with the limit on public gatherings raised to 10 people.
Five people will be allowed to visit other homes.
Weddings will be allowed up to 10 guests in addition to the couple and celebrant, while funerals can have 20 mourners indoors and 30 outdoors.
Real estate home inspections and auctions can resume with a 10-person limit, while children will return to schools and child care.
Universities and TAFE colleges are set to increase face-to-face teaching, with an initial priority put on skills which require a hands-on approach.
Victoria and NSW are not rushing into lifting restrictions, while other jurisdictions are moving more promptly on stage one.
Andrews under fire, again
Federal opposition frontbencher Josh Wilson said it is appropriate for states to implement the different stages when they see fit.
"As we saw through the period when we were first responding to the crisis, there's going to be some variations state by state around the country, as is appropriate," he told ABC television.
Liberal backbencher Tim Wilson agreed, but he said the states have to explain why they are taking different approaches.
He said in his home state of Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has to explain why other states are allowing people to visit their mums on Mother's Day and can send their child to school but Victorians can't.
"There is actually now a narrative that's building in parts of Victoria where people are increasingly concerned that he's probably enjoying the clampdown too much in terms of the authority and power it's given him, and he's not as enthusiastic to roll it back," Tim Wilson told ABC television.
Mr Hunt brushed the comments aside when asked about them on Saturday, while Mr Albanese described the outburst as "childish".
"Quite frankly, Tim Wilson needs to think before he speaks," Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese on Saturday described the latest attack on Dan Andrews as "childish". Source: AAP
Newmarch resident dies after coronavirus recovery
The Newmarch House nursing home in Sydney on Saturday confirmed a resident died after recovering from a coronavirus infection.
NSW Health spokesman Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the latest death was not directly caused by coronavirus, although the elderly resident had recently been infected.
"The doctor is in the best place to understand what the illness was and the cause of death," he told reporters on Saturday.
"Without going into personal details, we understand that the person had COVID, had recovered, had other illnesses and was elderly and died."
Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the state would not rush plans to lift coronavirus restrictions.
"I understand the energy and exuberance in wanting us to lay out a timetable," he said.
"Each time we make a change, we have to be able to have good information and good insight as to the likely consequences."
Abattoir outbreak
In Melbourne, the cluster of coronavirus cases linked to the Cedar Meats abattoir continued to grow.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Saturday confirmed a number of new infections had been linked to Melbourne's Cedar Meats coronavirus cluster.
Victorian Attorney General Jill Hennessy later said there were four new cases linked to Cedar Meats, bringing the total number of infections from the facility to 75.
Western Australia confirmed they had had no new cases of coronavirus, while only seven active cases of the virus remained.
The government there announced they were launching a research fund to help the state handle the crisis, with the state government to contribute $6 million and with contributions expected from the resource sector and health insurers.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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