'Pretty hard to stay 1.5m away': Australia's sex workers angry they've been forgotten as the country is eased out of lockdown
- Sex workers slammed the government over plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions
- Brothels were not mentioned in the plan aimed at restarting economy by June
- Industry insiders have raised fears brothels may not exist post-lockdown
- Sex worker says the industry can adapt to ensure the risk of getting illness is low
- Intimacy would change, meaning kissing and oral sex could be banned
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Sex workers have slammed the government over its three stage plan to reopen the economy by July, claiming the profession has been completely forgotten about.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed details of National Cabinet's plan to ease coronavirus restrictions on Friday.
Each stage will last four weeks, with the first set of laxer rules allowing shops to open, limited customers to dine-in at restaurants and open houses and auctions to go ahead.
But brothels have been provided with no timeline for when they are allowed to reopen, leaving industry insiders fearing what the future may hold for the profession in a post-lockdown economy.
Jules Kim, from sex work organisation Scarlet Alliance, told news.com.au on Monday that it was disappointing that brothels will be forced to remain shut even when Australia reaches stage three of the restrictions.
Sex workers have slammed the government over its three stage plan to reopen the economy by July, claiming the profession has been completely forgotten about
Jules Kim, from sex work organisation Scarlet Alliance, said it was disappointing that brothels will be forced to remain shut even when Australia reaches stage three of the restrictions
'It's a further slap in the face for sex workers who are already struggling with no end in sight.
'Sex workers have a great track record in relation to public health in Australia, demonstrated through many years of low rates of blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections and high rates of testing.'
Eva, a sex worker from Brisbane, said it was 'ludicrous' that massage was allowed when sexual massage was not.
'It's pretty hard to stay 1.5m away if you're doing contact sex work.'
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However, she said the sex industry, like many other industries, could adapt their practices to ensure the risk of contracting the virus was low.
She said kissing could be banned as it would be considered a high-risk activity.
Oral sex could also be axed as it would be too risky, she said.
Brothels were among the long list of venues that have been banned from operating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed details of National Cabinet's plan to ease coronavirus restrictions on Friday
Police cracked down on companies operating illegally during this time. A Sydney brothel was fined $5000 for continuing to operate and three staff were each fined $1000 on March 29.
Prostitutes have struggled since the changes were introduced with many having to take a massive paycut as they move their services online, offering sexting and the 'virtual girlfriend' experience instead.
The Scarlet Alliance launched a fundraiser to help support for sex workers during this time.
Under the first stage of the new rules, restaurants and cafes will be allowed to seat up to 10 customers at a time, after months of takeaway only.
Each patron will be required to have four square metres of personal space, meaning some small venues won't be able to seat too many customers.
That means those seeking to celebrate the coming end of lockdown with a weekend brunch will probably have to set aside some time to line up.
The government has instructed workplaces to get cracking on designing social distancing measures and to allow employees to work from home, if possible.
Mind the gap: Commuters may be delayed by social distancing queues with possible limits on the number of passengers on board train carriages and bus services
Social distancing lines for warehouses such as Bunnings and other larger retailers have become commonplace
Any rush back to work could see queues for 'peak hour' office lifts, plastic shields between cubicles, the end of hotdesking and staggered start times for staff.
Commuters are likely to face lines to board their train, tram or bus home. Workers have been advised to avoid peak hour travel through each stage of the plan.
Long queues for supermarkets such Coles and Woolworths, discount variety stores such as Kmart and Big-W and warehouses like Bunnings will are set to continue.
Likewise, while smaller retail stores are encouraged to open, all will have to abide by 'COVID Safe' guidelines - that is, only allowing a safe number of people inside.
When gyms finally open back up under stage two of the measures, only 20 people will be allowed inside to work out at any one time.
Gyms will be forced to introduce booking systems or set up queues for those keen to pump some iron.
Only ten people will be allowed in open homes and auctions at a time under the first stage of the new restrictions - meaning more scenes like this
The path to freedom: These are the national COVID-19 guidelines for how the states will ease lockdown measures in the weeks to come. Prime Minister Scott Morrison hopes the country will reach stage three by July
Public pools will open with specific restrictions likely to allow only a small number of swimmers per lane.
Renters and home-buyers will have to patiently wait their turn to inspect property or attend an auction, with limits of 10, then 20, then 100 people allowed inside.
And when pubs are finally allowed to open, customer restrictions are likely to come hand-in-hand with a cold beer.
Only 100 pubgoers will be allowed inside at the one time.
All of these rules are likely to differ between the states and territories and will rely on individual businesses following the rules.
The Northern Territory is already at stage one, while South Australia will move to stage one on Monday and Queensland next Friday.
Western Australia will announce its position on Sunday and New South Wales and VIctoria will reveal their plans on Monday.
The ACT will allow gatherings of 10 from Saturday and Tasmania has not announced any changes.
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