Joint statement by the Presiding Officers – 7 Decemeber 2021
After scheduled discussions today with Commonwealth and ACT Health authorities, the Presiding Officers have decided to lift the restrictions applied to Parliament House on the weekend .
ACT Health has identified all close and casual contacts of a staffer who tested positive to Covid-19 on his return to Victoria, and advises the risk to other building occupants and members of the public is extremely low.
On that basis, from Wednesday 8 December:
- the building will re-open to the public
- the Health and Recreation Centre, courts and playing fields will reopen consistent with ACT Government advice
- the Parliament Shop will reopen
- indoor and outdoor seating will return in dining areas consistent with the ACT’s Covid-19 advice
- the Queen’s Terrace Café will reopen.
- reusable cups will again be allowed
- events will be able to resume
- frontline staff, including the security and catering staff, will continue to wear masks. Other building occupants are encouraged to wear a mask if they want to, and
- staff can return to the building where it suits employees and employers, and in accordance with the ACT Health advice.
Occupants and visitors must continue to use the Check in CBR app where posted.
Anybody with any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must not enter the building. They must remain at home and follow ACT Health advice.
Entry to the building will be taken as confirmation that you fully comply with the above and have not been at an exposure site, you do not have symptoms and have complied with ACT Health orders.
Information on the ACT’s continued health measures can found here on the ACT COVID-19 website.
The Presiding Officers would like to thank building occupants for their cooperation and patience during this time.
