The ACT Government has extended the Territory’s current low level public health social measures for a further four weeks as Canberrans return from holidays and children go back to school.
The low level measures will continue until Friday 25 February, unless a review in two weeks indicates they are not required for the level of risk being managed.
Hospitality and licensed businesses (including cafes, bars, nightclubs and indoor entertainment venues) need to continue to ensure patrons are seated while eating and drinking. Dancing at these venues is not permitted.
To further support these businesses during this time, the ACT Government last week announced the extension of existing business support measures and an additional funding round for the successful Amp It Up! grant program.
Mandatory face masks, density limits and other public health measures for businesses and indoor venues are also in place.
The ACT Government continues to encourage people to work from home where possible during February.
We also strongly encourage Canberrans to get their booster vaccination.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said with the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Australia, it is important that we continue to implement sensible measures locally to flatten the curve and protect those in our community who are most at risk of serious illness.
“The extension of these measures is a sensible step to mitigate virus transmission during a period on increased activity. We’re anticipating much more movement across the community over the coming weeks as Canberrans go back to work and schools reopen,” Chief Minister Barr said.
“The recommendation for people to continue to work from home, where it suits them and their employer, will help to mitigate the risk of widespread workplace transmission, while recognising that some employees need to return to the workplace to meet their business needs or for their own wellbeing.
“In the next week over 200,000 Rapid Antigen Tests will be distributed to teachers, school staff and school children. This will provide a significantly higher level of surveillance (potentially eight times more tests undertaken) and it is highly likely that significantly more asymptomatic COVID cases will be identified as a result.
“We have started to see cases stabilise in the past 10 days and we’ll use the next two weeks to closely monitor the situation, particularly around what a return to school and many of our regular routines means for case numbers.”
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said it is critical that people continue to get tested if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, are household contacts or are at high or moderate risk of contracting COVID-19.
“While our testing clinics experienced significant pressure earlier in the month, this has now eased and there’s plenty of capacity once again at the ACT Government’s testing clinics,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“All clinics now have adequate supplies to conduct PCR tests and the turnaround times for results are now down to between 24 to 48 hours.
“Anyone who is eligible for a booster vaccination should get one as soon as they can, as vaccination remains a key measure in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Appointments at our AIS and airport mass vaccination clinics are available this week.”
