* ASX benchmark hits highest level since May 1
* Energy stocks at highest since April 30
* New South Wales, the worst affected state, to reopen this week
By Nikhil Subba
May 11 (Reuters) - Australian shares climbed on Monday, as the government plans to start phased easing of coronavirus-induced restrictions in New South Wales (NSW) - the country's most populous state.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose as much as 1.2% to its highest since May 1, after posting a weekly gain of 2.8% on Friday.
NSW, the worst coronavirus-affected state in Australia, will allow restaurants, playgrounds and outdoor pools to reopen on May 15 as extensive testing has shown that the spread of the coronavirus has slowed sharply. and Victoria, which has had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country, have maintained their tight restrictions longer than other states.
Sentiment was further bolstered by easing measures in England and Spain. Street indexes jumped on Friday after the Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April, which was less than the 22 million forecast by a Reuters poll. Australian energy index .AXEJ rose as much as 2.6% to its highest since April 30, led by Washington H Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd SOL.AX , up 2.93%, followed by Worley Ltd WOR.AX , gaining 2.8%.
Financial stocks .AXFJ gained as much as 1.6%, led by Suncorp Group Ltd SUN.AX and Pendal Group Ltd PDL.AX that climbed as much as 6.1% and 9.2%, respectively.
ASX 300 metals and mining index .AXMM rose up to 1.4%, led by Syrah Resources Ltd SYR.AX , up 13.2%, followed by Imdex Ltd IMD.AX , gaining 10.6%.
The number of issues on the ASX that advanced were 873, while 376 declined as a 2.3-to-1 ratio favored advancers. There were 121 new highs and 103 new lows.
The most heavily traded shares by volume were Southern (NYSE:SO) Cross Media Group Ltd SXL.AX and Scentre Group SCG.AX .
In New Zealand, the benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 inched up as much as 0.17% to 10,764.05.
The top percentage gainers on the benchmark were SKY Network Television Ltd SKT.NZ , up 21.9%, followed by Kathmandu Holdings Ltd KMD.NZ that climbed 10.9%.