What you can and can’t do this Mother’s Day

If you usually take your mum out for afternoon tea or spoil her at a spa for Mother’s Day, this year you’ll need to rethink your plans.

Here’s how you can celebrate your mum under the current coronavirus restrictions.

When is Mother’s Day?

This year in Australia, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. That means you have less than a week to organise a way to celebrate with your mum.

Can I visit my mum this Mother’s Day?

It depends where you live.

Although the government recommends that people over 70, those over 60 with chronic illness, or Indigenous people over 50 self-isolate as much as possible, no state is penalising people who don’t adhere to these rules.

Age aside, most states now allow two adults (and their children) to visit someone else’s house, apart from Victoria which still has tighter restrictions. Social distancing is required though – so even if you see her, you won’t be allowed to hug her.

Victoria: Social visits are only allowed for “compassionate reasons” and to deliver food or medical supplies.

NSW: As of May 1, up to two adults can visit another person’s home. So, while you can visit your mum at home, you should keep visitors to a minimum. If you have lots of siblings who all want to visit, you’ll need to spread out the celebrations.

Queensland: The two-guest rule applies in Queensland too. In other words, you can visit your mum at home, but you can’t turn it in to a party.

Tasmania: Visiting someone’s house is allowed as “social support,” as long as social distancing is adhered to.

ACT: People are allowed to have two house guests but there must be four square meters for each person inside the house.

WA: There’s more of an opportunity for gathering in Western Australia, as you can visit someone at home as long as there are no more than 10 people. However, you’re only allowed to travel between the different regions in WA on compassionate grounds.

SA: As with Western Australia, social gatherings at someone’s house are allowed in South Australia, with a maximum of 10 people.

NT: Two people are allowed to visit someone else’s house, as long as social distancing is applied.

Can I visit an aged care home this Mother's Day?

Probably. Most aged care facilities are encouraging phone or video calls when possible, but visitors are allowed. As of May 1, you must have had your flu vaccine in order to visit anyone in aged care.

The following rules apply across all states:

You’re not allowed to visit someone in aged care if:

• You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.

• You’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to have coronavirus in the last 14 days.

• You have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory illness.

• You’re 16 or under – except in special circumstances such as the resident being in palliative care.

If you do visit someone in aged care, you must:

• Keep the visit short, and have it either outdoors or in the resident’s room – not in a communal area.

• Give details of your current health status to staff at the facility.

• Have fever screening before entering, if asked.

• Wash your hands before entering and leaving a resident’s room.

• Stay 1.5 meters away from the resident.

• Stay away when unwell.

• Have no more than two visitors at once, including doctors or other staff.

Can I have a picnic with my family this Mother’s Day?

Maybe. Once again, the rules differ depending on where you live:

Victoria: No. Going to the park or the beach is only allowed if you’re exercising.

NSW: No. You aren’t allowed to socialise with other adults apart from in someone’s home. You’re only allowed to visit parks or beaches to exercise.

Queensland: Yes, but not with extended family. You’re allowed to sit in a park with one guest or members of your household, but not have a big social gathering.

Tasmania: No. You can leave the house for exercise or other essential reasons – this doesn’t include sitting in the park.

ACT: Yes, if you keep the picnic to your immediate household or one other guest.

WA: Yes. You’re allowed to meet up with up to 10 other people and socialise with them at a park or beach.

SA: Social gatherings are limited to 10 but you are allowed to have these outside the house.

NT: Yes. Social distancing is still required but you’re allowed to sit in a park with others.

Can I go to the beach or for a walk with my family this Mother's Day?

Maybe. The government has urged people not to flock to the beach, and some beaches in NSW have implemented strict “swim and go” policies to ensure people exercise and then leave the beach straight away.

However, some states have more relaxed policies and are allowing people to hang out there.

Victoria: No. Some beaches are closed and you can only access the open beaches for exercise, with one other person. You can talk a walk, as long as it’s only with the people you live with, or one other person.

NSW: Beaches are only open for exercise in NSW, so you can’t go to just hang out with the family. You are allowed to take a walk with your immediate household, or one other person as long as you maintain appropriate social distance.

Queensland: If you live close to the beach or the walk you want to do, then you are allowed to go with other person, or the people you live with. You’re allowed to travel up to 50km for recreational activities.

Tasmania: You can take a walk with your immediate household, but the beach is only for exercise, and not for hanging out.

ACT: You can take a walk with the people you live with, or one other person.

SA: Yes. You can hang out with up to nine other people at the beach or take a walk together.

WA: Yes. You can go to the beach or for a walk with up to nine other people, as long as you don’t move between regions to get there.

NT: Yes. Hanging out at the beach or taking a walk with a small group is ok, as is fishing and swimming in natural pools and lakes.

Can I send my mum flowers on Mother’s Day?

Yes. Although many florists have their doors closed, they are still taking orders and doing deliveries.

In fact, some florists say they’ve seen an 80 per cent increase in flower deliveries, with people choosing to send flowers to cheer up friends and relatives in isolation.

So, if you’re planning on sending flowers to your mum this year, get your order in quickly!

What good Mother’s Day gifts can I buy online?

Kmart has gifts for under $20, and Big W is offering a contactless pick up service that means if you place an order before 12pm then you can pick it up in store after 4pm the same day, up until May 8.

Target are offering free home delivery for all orders over $45, instead of the usual $80.

Peter Alexander is offering 20 per cent off personalised dressing gowns if you buy online.

What are the best Mother’s Day hampers and takeaway deals?

Bockers & Pony are offering free delivery, with same day delivery in Sydney and Melbourne on all their Mother’s Day gift hampers.

If you’re in Melbourne, try St Ali’s breakfast box, with pancake mix, jam, butter, bacon, maple syrup and coffee.

If you’re in Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong, try Pomelo Online’s mother’s day lunch delivery, with braised lamb shoulder and all the trimmings.

What can I get the kids to make for Mother’s Day?

There are no cards or crafts coming home from school this year, so it’s up to you to sort something out.

Homemade cards or home cooked food are always winners.

Coles and Woolworths both have free easy-to-cook recipes that everyone can access.

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