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Queenslanders will only have to wait until Saturday week before they can dine in at restaurants or have a beer at the pub, although only 10 people will be allowed in any venue at a time unless you're in an outback area where the limit is 20.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a three-part plan that aims for the vast majority of restrictions to be eased by the end of July, albeit with strict hygiene and tracing protocols, Queensland has released its "Roadmap to Easing Restrictions".
Starting Saturday week, or technically next Friday at 11:59pm, Queensland's Stage 1 will come into force allowing for a range of relaxations including the opening of beauty therapy and nail salons with bookings, retail shopping, personal training, outdoor gyms, open homes and auctions, libraries and more.
Most Queenslanders will only be allowed to travel up to 150km within their region for recreational daytrips, while residents in outback Queensland will be able to travel up to 500km from home.
"We know how important our industries are to our state - our tourism industry's over $12 billion, the retail industry's over $15 billion, and of course our hospitality - café, restaurant, accommodation is also a multi-billion dollar industry," says Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
"There's a gradual return to some form of normality in our post-COVID world.
"It's going to look a bit different but we're going to back each other, and we're going to get through this."
Click here to see the full plan.
The Premier hopes to get more tourism going in time for the school holidays, with the goal of implementing Stage 2 on 12 June; a stage that also contemplates reopening gyms, health clubs and yoga studios, as well as expanding the number of people allowed in hospitality venues to 20.
"You will be able to travel in your region up to 250km to go to local destinations for a drive holiday, and then in July we are absolutely hoping - fingers crossed if our numbers remain low and everything is going well we will be able to open up travel for right across Queensland," she says.
By mid-June the aim is also to have indoor cinemas, outdoor amusement parks, concert venues, arenas and stadiums reopened.
If all goes to plan, by 10 July it is possible that gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed.
Photo courtesy of Visit Bundaberg.
Updated at 3pm AEST on 8 May 2020.
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