Coronavirus: When will restaurants, bars and clubs reopen?

Most Australians won’t be allowed to belly up to a bar until July, the prime minister has revealed.

Pubs, clubs, nightclubs won’t re-open until the third stage of the government’s plan to ease coronavirus restrictions across the country, Scott Morrison said during a press conference on Friday.

However, under stage one, residents can once again visit small restaurants and cafes.

However, strict distancing measures will still apply if cafes and restaurants are to have seated guests.

They will only be able to have a maximum of 10 patrons with one person per four square metres.

Larger groups may not be admitted into restaurants until stage three in July.

It is understood the first step will begin in the coming days, with states and territories to determine which changes they adopt when.

Residents living in states that have already started to ease restrictions may see bars and clubs open sooner as they move into stage three before others. Northern Territory is set to be the first to open bars with restricted openings from May 15.

"I think you can expect to see some of them later today, making some initial comments and I'd expect to see them making further comments in the days ahead, on the weekend, and early next week," the PM said.

"That's when you can expect them to outline those timetables. I note as I’m sure, when you look at the three steps, there's some states like Western Australia where step one has ticked the box. They're very much well advanced on that.

"South Australia, Northern Territory, quite similarly. But those on the east coast, a very different situation."

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Under the step one, up to five people will be allowed to visit another household.

Libraries, community centres, playgrounds and fitness boot camps will restart, along with auctions and local and regional travel.

The second phase will allow gatherings of up to 20 people, with gyms, beauty therapists, cinemas, theatres, amusement parks, galleries and museums to reopen.

Federal and state governments have agreed to a July target for implementing the third and final stage of the plan, which will allow gatherings of up to 100 people, more widespread returns to work, and examine reopening travel to New Zealand.

Food courts, saunas and interstate travel will be allowed.

National cabinet will review the measures every three weeks.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy urged Australians to stick to the strict physical distancing measures, which have seen infections plummet.

"Please, keep that distancing. We could lose the battle that we have won so well so far," he said.

with AAP

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