The part of Australia lifting some restrictions from midnight tonight
The ACT Government is rolling back coronavirus social distancing restrictions as of midnight tonight.
Up to 10 people will be able to gather indoors or outdoors, just in time for Mother’s Day.
The move comes hours after PM Scott Morrison announced a three-step plan to bring Australia back to normal by the end of July.
Canberra residents are still expected to abide by the 1.5 metre distancing rule and practise good hygiene.
“With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, many families will be looking forward to gathering together under these new restrictions,” ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said in a statement on Friday.
“These gatherings must be small in line with the ten person requirement. It is also important that any visiting family members continue to keep 1.5 metres apart and maintain the one person per 4 square metre guideline.”
Mr Barr said the easing up was not an excuse to host a party.
“The easing of restrictions on gatherings is not a licence to bring together people from multiple households for a party. House parties with people from multiple households could undermine all that we have achieved,” he said.
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Up to 10 people will also be able to attend weddings, churches, boot camps, open home inspections and real estate actions as of midnight.
Indoor funerals will be allowed 20 guests, while 30 people can attend outdoor funerals.
Restaurants and cafes are to remain closed.
ACT kids return to school
Public school students in Canberra will return to their classrooms in stages over the next four weeks after schools shut due to coronavirus.
The ACT will begin the slow return to normal learning, with certain year levels filing in from mid-May and all students returning by June.
Parents and carers can choose to keep their children at home to continue remote learning.
Some Canberra Catholic schools will make a full return on May 18 while others will follow the public system's staged return.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said Canberrans had worked hard to stop the spread of coronavirus.
"If this situation changes again and an increase (in) new cases of the virus arises, the government remains ready to respond sensibly," she said on Thursday.
Preschool, kindergarten, year one, two and seven public school students, as well as years 11 and 12, will be the first back on May 18.
By June 2, the ACT government expects all students to have returned to class.
Non-government schools will also begin a phased return over the next month.
with AAP
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