What would usually be done for a special day out to spoil our loved ones for Mother’s Day unfortunately may have to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thankfully, why we may not be able to be wined and dined or spoilt at the spa or cafe for the day, there is still time to rethink plans and come up with a helpful solution.

This year in Australia, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10.

If family members want to visit you, it generally depends on where you live and is subject to rules.

States are not penalising any one who doesn’t adhere to not visiting people over 70, those over 60 with chronic illness, or Indigenous people over 50.

In Victoria, social visits are only limited to “compassionate reasons” and to deliver food or medical supplies.

As of May 1, in NSW two adults are permitted to visit another person’s home for any reason. This means that while you can visit your mum at home, you should probably keep visitors to a minimum. If you have lots of siblings who all want to visit, you’ll need to spread out the celebrations correctly.

In Queensland, the two-guest rule applies as well.

Tasmania has different guidelines and seems visiting someone’s house “social support,” but essentially as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to, there are no severe restrictions that must be followed.

The ACT says people are allowed to have two house guests but the house must be four square metres at least.

Western Australia allows for social gatherings to still take place, as long as there are no more than ten people.

However, you’re only allowed to travel between the different regions in WA on compassionate grounds.

South Australia has similar rules to Western Australia in regard to social gatherings. Ten people are allowed to gather in one home.

NT rules dictate two people are allowed to visit someone else’s house, as long as social distancing is applied.

Aged care facilities: What’s the go?

Most aged care facilities are encouraging phone or video calls when possible, but visitors will be allowed in most centres.

As of May 1, you must have had your flu vaccine in order to visit anyone in aged care.

The following rules apply across all states:

  • You’re not allowed to visit someone in aged care if:
  • You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
  • You’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to have coronavirus in the last 14 days.
  • You’re 16 or under. There are special circumstances such as the resident being in palliative care.
  • You have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Those visiting someone in aged care must keep the visit short, provide their current health status to staff, undergo a fever screening, wash hands constantly, stay 1.5 m away from the resident and opt out of visiting elderly loved ones if unwell.

Many people may be wondering whether they can simply go for a walk or visit the beach on Mother’s Day.

The answer is maybe, however the government has urged people not to flock to the beach, and some beaches in NSW have implemented strict “swim and go” policies to ensure people exercise and then leave the beach straight away.

Although there are some states that have relaxed policies and are allowing people to socially gather there.

In Victoria, you are not allowed to visit the park unless it’s for exercise and the same rule applies for beaches. It is important to keep in mind some of the public beaches are closed and the ones accessible have a limit of exercising with only one person.

You can talk a walk, as long as it’s only with the people you live with, or one other person.

In NSW, beaches are open but you can’t go to just hang out with the family. You aren’t allowed to socialise with other adults apart from in someone’s home. You’re only allowed to visit parks or beaches to exercise.

Queensland rules permit walking if you live close to the beach, but you’re only allowed to travel up to 50km for recreational activities. You’re not allowed to go for a walk with extended family and must keep it to at least one person, or the people you live with.

Tasmania says you can walk your pets specifically, but the beaches are open for exercise purposes. You also can’t sit at the park or hang out there.

In ACT, you can take a walk with the people you live with, or one other person.

South Australia has looser rules and permits that you can hang out with up to nine other people at the beach or take a walk together.

Western Australia also has looser rules and deems that you can go to the beach or for a walk with up to nine other people, as long as you don’t move between regions to get there.

NT also says you can go out at the beach or taking a walk with a small group is ok, as is fishing and swimming in natural pools and lakes.