Coronavirus restrictions eased in Australian capital

Chief Minister of the ACT Andrew Barr announced a relaxing of guidelines for residents of Canberra, Australia's capital city, on Friday afternoon.

Under the new guidelines, citizens can travel outside of the region in small groups to visit family and friends while maintaining physical distancing. Leaving the house for non-essential shopping will also be allowed.

Barr and his deputy Yvette Berry said in a statement that further easing of restrictions would be announced gradually so long as the citizens "continue playing their part to prevent a new wave of cases."

At 3:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, a total of 6,783 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Australia, including 93 deaths and 5,789 recoveries, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.

The ACT has had 106 cases and three deaths.

"We need to ensure that, as we respond to the pandemic, restrictions have to be sustainable in the long term," Barr and Berry said in the statement.

"Many retailers voluntarily closed their doors to support community efforts to suppress the virus. Soon many will re-open and the community is encouraged to support them whilst maintaining physical distancing.

"Restrictions on gatherings inside the family home will be relaxed to allow families to visit each other with two adults plus children able to visit outside of those who ordinarily live in a property."

The ACT followed Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA) to announce a plan to ease some restrictions.

State and territory leaders will meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on May 8 to discuss lifting restrictions nationally.