14 September 2021

There have been 22 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.

Of these cases, 14 are linked to known cases or ongoing clusters and eight (8) remain under early investigation. Two (2) were in quarantine during their infectious period, 13 were in the community for part of their infectious period and seven (7) remain under early investigation.

There are now 276 cases who haverecovered with 15 in the past 24 hours. This means there are now 252 active cases associated with this outbreak.

As of 9am this morning ACT Health continues to work with almost 1,000 people who have self-identified as close contacts of ACT outbreaks.

There are currently 10 patients in ACT hospitals, including two (2) in intensive case, with one (1) requiring ventilation.

Over 3,700, tests were collected across the ACT yesterday, from both Government and private providers. There were 2,737 negative test results in the 24 hours to 9am today.

Our vaccination efforts continue across the ACT with total vaccine doses administered at ACT Government Clinics now at 250,125.

We have over 320 current exposure locations listed for the ACT. Canberrans are asked to keep up to date on new locations on the ACT COVID-19 website.

Extension of lockdown and pathway forward

The ACT lockdown will be extended for another four weeks, until 11.59pm Friday 15 October 2021, with a mid-point review after two weeks to see where we are at.

Plans for the ACT’s pathway forward have also been released, which outline the principles and public health considerations that will underpin future decision making.

Although daily case numbers have remained relatively stable, we are still seeing a high number of cases that have been in the community for at least part of their infectious period.

In the past week, we have also seen an increase in the number of cases where we are unable to identify the source of transmission, which means the risk is too high for us to lift stay-at-home requirements at this time.

The Delta variant is highly infectious, and while we work towards our vaccination goals, we need to continue to reduce movement of people in the community at this time.

We know this is going to be difficult news for people to hear today and we want to thank everyone for playing their part to help us manage the outbreak.

While the lockdown will be extended, there will be some further amendments to restrictions that will come into effect from 11.59pm this Friday (17 September). These include:

  • the recommencement of outdoor social and recreational sport with up to 5 people. This does not permit organised competition, coaching or training to recommence. Indoor sport also remains closed at this time.
    • This is linked to restrictions related to outdoor gatherings for exercise or non-organised recreation where one household (any size) or up to 5 people can gather outdoors for up to two hours for exercise or non-organised recreation.
  • allowing small businesses who are currently permitted to operate a click and collect or click and deliver service to have up to 5 people in the business at any one time or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser (increasing from 2 people).
  • the recommencement of in-person house inspections by private appointment. Only household members will be permitted to attend an appointment with 1 Real Estate agent.

Gatherings in the home – including in outdoor areas – will still not be allowed at this stage.

Masks will also continue to be required at all times upon leaving home, including in workplaces, if you are aged 12 years and over.

Schools

Year 12 students will return to on campus learning from the start of term four (Tuesday 5 October).

This is a critical time for Year 12 students, who are completing their final weeks of school and final exams and assessments.

All year 12 students, as well teachers and school staff, will have had the opportunity for priority vaccination before they return.

Year 11 students will return to on-campus learning from week 3 (Monday 18 October), as long as health conditions allow. This will allow them to complete course work and assessments that contribute to their senior secondary certificate.

At this stage ACT students from preschool to year 10 will continue remote learning for at least the first four weeks of term 4.

We will be working over the school holidays to develop further plans for a phased return to on campus learning in term 4 when it is COVID safe to do so.

Further information on the ACT lockdown is on the ACT COVID-19 website.

Stay COVID-19 safe

We remind Canberrans that we are still in lockdown and that now is not the time to become complacent.

This means minimising your time in the community and only leaving your home for the approved reasons.

Where possible, you should also continue to undertake essential activities within your local region.