I agree with you here. I think this is the right approach and the avenue out. If that's meant to be the plan, then let's have it articulated nationally. But even as recently as last Friday ScoMo said that, "Eradication and elimination are not National Cabinet policy and so we should not abandon the three stage process". The three stage process has Australia retaining the 1 per 4 sqm rule until the availability of a vaccine.
We are of like mind.
I agree that what ScoMo and others say is somewhat confusing on this. I think too that they did not want eradication as part of the plan in case it did not happen.
I think their 3 steps is an interim measure and that they wanted Step 3 by July:
The third steps are where we start to fully embrace long-term COVIDSafe ways of living and working — the arrangements that will be our ‘new normal’ while the virus remains a threat
What constitutes a threat is of course open to interpretation. My guess is that once Australia has had say zero cases for 2-4 weeks that the virus will not be considered a high risk within Australia, ie we will still need international border protocols, and
that we will then get further steps.
Without further relaxation things like live theatre, concerts, festivals, crowds at sporting events etc will all not happen in viable numbers. Aquatic Centres, museums, galleries will all continue to flounder as will religious services.
As well as yes pubs, clubs and cafes/restaurants.
And there are things like fun runs etc. And yes night clubs and even strip clubs and brothels!
If there is no Step 4, 5 etc.....a number of businesses cannot operate, and many public events and pastimes also cannot happen either at all, or anywhere at the scale that they once did.