QLD, SA, NSW and VIC ease COVID-19 restrictions further today

Queensland has brought forward the easing of COVID-19 restrictions to today as citizens in NSW, VIC and SA also wake up to some more freedoms.

Over the weekend, the Queensland Government announced it would be bringing forward some of its easing plans by two weeks.

From midday today Queenslanders will be able to undertake unlimited travel, including overnight stays throughout the entire state.

Pubs, restaurants and cafes will also be permitted to increase the total number of patrons from 10 to 20, and from Friday this week those venues will be able to have up to 20 people per room as long as they are seated for meals or drinks.

The same gathering restrictions for venues will also apply to gyms, health clubs, parks, museums, art galleries, places of worship and public facilities like libraries.

For community sporting events where clubs have more than one field there will be a limit of 20 spectators per field.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state's response to the pandemic has allowed travel restrictions to be lifted ahead of the next school holidays.

"The only reason we are able to move forward with our planned Stage Two ahead of the original June 12 date is because Queenslanders have listened to the advice, acted on that advice and done an outstanding job of helping to smash the Covid-19 curve," Premier Palaszczuk said.

"From the Gold Coast to Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast to Gympie to Maryborough to Bundaberg, from Longreach to Mt Isa, to Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, Queenslanders will now be able to rediscover their state, travelling for as many nights as they like.

"This will go a long way toward giving our critical tourism industry a welcome boost after adhering to the necessary restrictions we were forced to impose and I encourage Queenslanders to take advantage of the easing of rules around intrastate travel."

As previously announced by the NSW, VIC and SA state governments some COVID-19 restrictions will also be eased from today in those states.

New South Wales

NSW will allow 50 people in pubs, clubs and cafes from today, while beauty salons can reopen with up to 10 clients at a time.

Up to 20 people can now allowed to attend weddings, and up to 50 can attend funerals and places of worship.

Regional travel is also now allowed, with camping grounds and caravan parks reopening today.

Victoria

Indoor and outdoor gatherings in Victoria can now include up to 20 people. This rule will apply to cafes, restaurants, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, museums, public libraries and outdoor gyms.

Up to 20 people will be able to attend a wedding and up to 50 people can attend an outdoor funeral.

Victorians can also now stay in holiday homes and stay in accommodation like caravan parks and camping grounds which are now allowed to operate.

Yesterday the Victorian State Government announced it had extended the State of Emergency for another three weeks to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Under a State of Emergency, officers authorised by the Chief Health Officer can act to eliminate or reduce a serious risk to public health by detaining people, restricting movement, preventing entry to premises, or providing any other direction an officer considers reasonable to protect public health.

Police have strong powers to enforce directions and can issue on the spot fines, including up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses. People who don't comply could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.

South Australia

In SA COVID-19 restrictions will ease quite dramatically today, with up to 80 people allowed in hospitality venues like pubs, cafes and restaurants.

The 80 person rule is subject to the requirement that only 20 people per room in the venue can be seated at any one time. For example, if a pub had two indoor rooms and outdoor seating it could theoretically have up to 60 people in attendance at any one time.

In SA up to 50 people are now allowed to attend funerals, and up to 20 people in cinemas, theatres, museums, beauty salons, gyms, and indoor fitness centres.

Updated at 9:41am AEST on 1 June 2020.