Canberrans are reminded to practise COVID Smart behaviours during the holiday period.
Reinforcing our COVID Smart behaviours is especially important at a time of year when many in our community are planning to celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues.
Acting Minister for Health Chris Steel reminded Canberrans that we are still living with COVID-19 in our community.
“We encourage Canberrans to continue to make COVID Smart choices during the Christmas and New Year period and throughout the summer holidays.
“Remember to stay home if you feel unwell or have cold or flu symptoms and continue to test for COVID-19,” Minister Steel said.
“If you’re hosting a party throughout this festive season, consider using outdoor spaces because they present less risk of COVID-19 transmission.”
If it isn’t possible to celebrate outdoors, then ACT Health suggests:
- holding smaller gatherings
- reducing the length of time spent indoors together
- improving ventilation by keeping windows or doors open.
Minister Steel encouraged Canberrans to practise good hand and respiratory hygiene and to consider wearing a mask when entering public indoor settings or where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing.
“Stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, as this is the best protection from serious illness and hospitalisation,” Minister Steel said.
The ACT Government will continue to provide free PCR testing for priority groups at the Garran testing centre until the end of February 2023. Ongoing arrangements for PCR testing for the remainder of 2023 will be considered early in the new year. Those at lower risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 are advised to use a RAT.
The COVID-19 testing centre at Holt will close permanently on Friday 23 December 2022.
ACT Government COVID-19 services will still be available over the holiday period but will operate reduced hours from Sunday, 25 December 2022 as follows:
- the Garran COVID-19 testing centre will be open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and will be closed on Sundays
- the Weston Creek COVID-19 clinic is open every day from 2pm to 10pm, including public holidays
