NSW set to lead in reopening Australia's economy

Leaders of Australia's most populous state say they will lead the nation in reopening the economy, increasing the maximum number of customers that restaurants can seat from 10 to 50 from June 1.

New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Friday bookings will be limited to parties of 10 people when customer numbers are increased for restaurants, cafés and pubs.

Customers will have to be seated and each must be allowed four square meters (43 square feet) for social distancing.

Restrictions vary across Australia's eight states and territories, but New South Wales is set to allow the largest restaurant customer numbers.

New South Wales and neighboring Victoria, the nation's second most populous state, have no restrictions on crossing state borders and have Australia's highest numbers of COVID-19 infections.

All the other states restrict their borders, so does the Northern Territory, but for the Australian Capital Territory does not.

Berejiklian wants the borders opened to further stimulate her state's economy, but leaders of neighboring Queensland state say that won't happen while New South Wales continues to record new infections.

Australian has recorded 7,095 cases of COVID-19 and 101 patients have died.