The social distancing rule limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people has been adjusted to a four-square-metre rule, and small sports stadiums with capacities of 40,000 seats or fewer will be allowed to re-open at a 25 percent capacity from July 1.
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These changes were announced by the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on Friday after the National Cabinet meeting, further easing restrictions imposed during the outbreak of coronavirus, but the new rules will need to be practically implemented by individual states.
The re-opening of small stadiums has been given a green-light date of July 1, and could mean that Newcastle football fans could return to home games in coming weeks where they are scheduled. McDonald Jones Stadium has a capacity of 33,000.
Venues will need to sell ticketed seats per event, with social distancing measures in place around bars and food outlets.
The easing effectively removes the limit on attendees to inside-gatherings, subject to maintaining the social distance.
The Prime Minister said larger stadiums were a different issue, adding that more work would be needed before the changes came into effect in July.
"We have to give venues time to prepare," Mr Morrison said.
The easing of restrictions will also apply to arts and cultural venues and ticketed and seated outdoor festivals, but will not extend to non-seated music festivals.
The Canberra Times reports that states' borders were also beginning to re-open. Queensland has considered July 10 to re-open its borders. South Australia has already announced it will relax border closures on July 20.
The changes mark the Prime Minister signal to shift the easing of restrictions to 'phase three', however the practicalities of easing lockdowns will be left to the states, premiers and chief medical officers. Most states are currently in 'phase two' with all expectations pointing to a shift in July.
