COMING OUT OF OUR CAVES - LIFE IN PUBLIC AS RESTRICTIONS EASE

The pubs reopened to great rejoicing and some free beer as coronavirus restrictions eased across Australia, although unfortunately, it was too late for millions of litres of suds that had to be tipped down the drain. It was strange to be out, but it felt good once you got used to it. Rules vary by state and territory, but over the past several weeks, Aussies have been able to dine out, go to holiday homes, and gather in small groups once more. Lockdown isn’t lockdown anymore, but that doesn’t mean “normal” is back. Here’s where things stand.

- DAMIEN MARTIN

Pubs & Restaurants

They’re open. In South Australia, there can even be as many as 80 people in them at a time. In regional Queensland, locals (who show proof of residence) can meet up with 49 of their closest friends to celebrate the end of lockdown or just the fact that the weekend has arrived. Pokies are back, and doing a brisk business. Not everyone is happy about that last bit, of course, with gambling reform activist Tony Mohr telling the Sydney Morning Herald that turning off the pokies during lockdown saved Australians $2 billion. With limited numbers of patrons, cafes and restaurants have taken to having multiple seating times during an evening to turn over tables and limit exposure. Night clubs in the Northern Territory are open, with no 2-hour time restriction for patrons. Meanwhile, in Tasmania alcohol can’t be served unless the drinker also orders a meal. Different places have very different rules, and it can be a bit confusing, but concert and sport venues should be allowed to open in July as long as each person has 4 square metres of space.