Everything You Need to Know About Australia’s Latest COVID Restrictions

Update on every state.

Once the envy of the rest of the world for how it responded to COVID-19, Australia is now facing a crisis as new restrictions and lockdowns are being imposed across the country.

It’s somewhat of a perfect storm for the country as the Delta variant of the virus has had a chance to spread while the nation’s vaccination rollout continues to stumble.

Due to the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant of COVID-19, states and territories have imposed restrictions to combat the spread.

Here’s a look at what every state is currently doing.

SYDNEY: 2-week lockdown
DARWIN: 5-day lockdown
BRISBANE: new restrictions
MELBOURNE: travel rules, coming out of lockdown
ADELAIDE: closed off to most states
PERTH: restrictions, closed off
CANBERRA: mandatory masks
HOBART: travel rules

Feels like early days COVID all over again

— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 28, 2021

Victoria

Victorians have endured a tough time throughout COVID, but thankfully restrictions are beginning to relax after a 14-day Melbourne lockdown.

People can again leave their homes for any reason although interstate travel has been restricted.

Masks must be carried on you at all times and worn indoors unless it’s your own home or you have a medical exemption.

Find out more about Victoria's restrictions here.

New South Wales

On Saturday, Greater Sydney started a two-week lockdown after positive cases started to climb. Today, another 18 cases were recorded.

Everyone in Greater Sydney must stay at home and only leave for one of four essential reasons: food shopping; medical care or compassionate needs; exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or less; and essential work or education when you can’t from home.

Masks are mandatory unless in your own home and guests in your house are limited to five.

Find out more about NSW's restrictions here.

Instead of toilet paper, I’d rather we were panic buying vaccines. #sydneylockdown

— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) June 26, 2021

Queensland

From 6pm Tuesday 29 June Queensland are going into a three day lockdown for South East Queensland, Townsville, Palm Island and Magnetic Island. Those in lockdown can only leave home if they are attending essential work, exercising, obtaining essential goods or services and attending a medical appointment or emergency.

Masks are mandatory indoors and on public transport. Children under 12 do not need to wear a mask.

Find out more about QLD's restrictions here.

Update (29/6/21): This article has been updated to reflect that from 6pm Tuesday 29 June until 6pm Friday 2 July, South East Queensland, Townsville, Palm Island and Magnetic Island will go into lockdown.

Monday 28 June – coronavirus cases in Queensland:

Two new locally acquired cases.

One new overseas acquired case, detected in hotel quarantine.#covid19 pic.twitter.com/UuhLmYuBLv

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 27, 2021

ACT

For the first time since the COVID-19 breakout, a mask order has been issued for Canberra for anyone leaving their home.

There are currently no COVID cases in the state, but the orders have been brought in to limit the chance of an outbreak.

Interstate travel arrivals into the capital has also been restricted.

Day I of mask wearing

Forgot our masks.

Went back to get our masks.

Wore our masks.

Person said, 'I am smiling, you just can't see it."

— Describing Things In Canberra (@DescribingIn) June 27, 2021

South Australia

Masks are mandatory for South Australians in high-risk settings including aged care homes and hospitals.

Private gatherings are capped at 150 people. This includes weddings and funerals. Pubs and clubs are restricted to one person per two square metres.

These measures are pre-emptive to stop outbreaks happening like those around the rest of Australia.

All SA COVID restrictions are available here.

Northern Territory

Greater Darwin was put into a 48-hour lockdown on Sunday after five new positive cases, all linked to the Central Australian Gold Mine.

The mine has been at the centre of the spread of the Delta variant. 900 workers left the mine and travelled to Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, and Alice Springs. They have all been asked to isolate.

Anyone in the Greater Darwin area must wear a mask if they leave their home, and may only do so for essential reasons.

The Northern Territory is not messing around, parts are going into lockdown after recording their FIRST EVER community transmission case of COVID-19.

Hard and fast.

Good move.#COVID19 #COVID19NT #COVID19Aus

— Rhys Parton ⚫️🟡🔴 - Bring Them #HomeToBilo (@RhysParton) June 27, 2021

Western Australia

Masks are mandatory indoors, on public transport and for outdoor public areas except for vigorous exercise. Primary school students are exempt.

West Aussies are required to stay at home unless they need to shop for essentials, exercise (limitted to one hour per day within a 5km radius), receive a COVID-19 vaccine, leave due to an emergency or attend a medical appointment.

Schools remain open while universities, TAFE and training colleges are closed.

Find out more about WA restrictions right here.

Update (29/6/21): This article has been updated to reflect that the Perth and Peel regions will enter a minimum 4-day lockdown from 12:01am, Tuesday 29 June 2021 until 12.01am, Saturday 3 July, 2021.

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR WA ⚠️

From 12:01pm today, the following restrictions will apply to Perth and the Peel region for a minimum period of three days:https://t.co/g88kzZQGuY pic.twitter.com/ViTUgPTP9I

— WA Government (@WAGovernment) June 27, 2021

Tasmania

Tazzie are doing a fantastic job at keeping the COVID out with no cases as of writing. No mandatory mask wearing restrictions apply unless you are at the airport, in high-risk settings, or travelling aboard the Spirit of Tasmania.

All the details on Tasmania's COVID restrictions can be found here.

Header Image: James D. Morgan / Contributor via Getty Images