Road map to recovery gets people back to work

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says it is time to “get out from under the doona” and reopen Australia’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Last Friday, Mr Morrison outlined a three step approach to relaxing coronavirus restrictions, with the first stage including intrastate recreational travel and increasing the number of people able to attend funerals to 20 indoors and 30 outdoors and from five people to 10 at weddings.

Under the plan, businesses and workers will be back in operation by July, with Federal Treasury estimating the phased changes will restore 850,000 jobs.

Mr Morrison said the country’s individual states and territories would decide when to start each stage, with South Australia adopting a number of measures yesterday.

The second stage, which Mr Morrison said would be progressed by states and territories at their own pace and be defined by step one, will expand to allow gatherings of up to 20 people.

A third stage includes allowing gatherings of up to 100 and the opening of pubs and clubs with some restrictions.