Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the Government’s three-step plan for reopening the country, with cafes and restaurants set to return sooner than expected.

“Today, National Cabinet agreed to a three-step plan and a national framework to achieve a COVID safe economy and society,” Scott Morrison said.

“And it is our goal to move through all of these steps to achieve that COVID-safe economy in July of this year.”

STEP ONE 

The first step will allow for greater connection with friends and family, with gatherings of up to 10 people permitted.

Small cafes and restaurants will be permitted to serve just 10 dine-in patrons at a time, with an average density of four square metres required for every one person.

“We know that this will mean many cafes and restaurants won’t be able to open but many that are doing takeaway may well want to put up enough distanced tables to start serving 10 people,” chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy told the media.

Assuming no outbreaks occur, further relaxation will come about in steps two and three.

STEP TWO

Step two will see larger-sized gatherings of up to 20 people. It will also see the reopening of more retail businesses such as cinemas, gyms and galleries. Restaurants and cafes will be permitted to seat 20 patrons at a time.

STEP THREE

Step three will see gatherings of up to 100 people. “Most workers will be back in the office. Pubs and clubs, with some restrictions, will be open, and possibly gaming venues,” Scott Morrison said.

As for the timeline, the PM said the pace will be up to the states and territories to decide. “They will be responsible for setting their own timetable and communicating that to their citizens and residents.”

Movement from one step to the next will depend on the rates of infection, which will continue to be monitored closely.