Our efforts to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic have well and truly paid off. With so few new cases each day, Australians are being rewarded with the reopening of its favourite venues, and eased restrictions around the activities we love.
June 1 will see the most relaxed social distancing laws so far come into effect in NSW. Local travel within the state, beauty salons, and galleries are just the beginning.
So mark your calendars, people: here’s everywhere you’ll be able to go come the first of June.
Anywhere in NSW
Whether you’re itching to visit your favourite coastal beach, take a trip to the Thredbo or Perisher snowfields, or stay in an off-grid tiny home, those in NSW will now be able to book a holiday within the state from June 1.
Our suggestion? To help stimulate the rural towns that have been doubly affected by COVID and the bushfire season. On your first trip post-isolation, you’d be wise to expect traffic delays and avoid the crowds if you can. Here are some tips for travelling safely.
Beauty salons
Your eyebrows asked for it, and the government listened. From June 1, nail bars, tanning salons and facialists (and many other beauty services) will be allowed to reopen in the state, as reported by the ABC.
According to Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, the reopening of beauty salons was the most requested service when it came to easing restrictions. “Of all of the requests I’ve had as Health Minister in the last three months, this has been the one that I think has topped the barrel,” he said.
Beauty salons will reopen with improved hygiene procedures, plus extended social distancing efforts.
Zoos and aquariums
Your kid is bored with the local park and so are you. From June 1, you and the family will be able to visit NSW zoos, aquariums and animal parks for a fun day out.
Sydney’s iconic Taronga Zoo is one such venue preparing to reopen. The animal park, being predominantly outdoors, makes adhering to social distancing restrictions much easier, and it’s said that a four-metre per-person rule will be monitored.
Hand sanitizer stations are also being installed at regular intervals while extra cleaning will take place.
Art galleries and museums
You should definitely make time for a visit to one of NSW’s many cultural centres next week, with the news art galleries, museums and libraries will be reopening on June 1 — just in time for rainy days and chilly weather.
Visits to cultural institutions will look a little different to how we remember, though. Time Out Sydney reports that visitors may be limited by number, and could be required to record their details “either by downloading the CovidSafe app or by individually submitting contact details upon entry”.
It’s possible that galleries could implement means of pre-booking visits also, to help them stay on top of visitor numbers. Best to check ahead on a gallery or museum’s website before just rocking up.
Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs
Some restaurants and cafes are currently open to 10 patrons at a time, but from June 1, hospitality venues like restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs are bars will be able to reopen to 50 guests at a time.
Patrons will still need to be seated four-metres away from the next table, which means only the larger venues may be eligible to welcome 50 at a time. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian says “mingling” or dancing is not yet allowed, and that staff will only be able to conduct table service.
The ABC reports there will also be no buffets or shared cutlery, while bookings will be limited to 10 people. Patrons will also have to log their name and phone number to ensure they can be reached in the event of an outbreak.
Exciting news, but it’s best not to consider this an invitation to show up unannounced — to avoid disappointment, it’s worth calling ahead to reserve a table.