01 January 2021

There have been 13 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.

Of these cases, seven (7) are linked to known cases or ongoing clusters, with four (4) in quarantine during their infectious period, eight (8) in the community for part of their infectious period and one (1) still being assessed.

There are now 32 cases that have recovered, which means there are now 242 active cases associated with this outbreak.

As of 9am this morning ACT Health continues to work with over 700 people who have self-identified as close contacts of ACT outbreaks.

There are currently 13 patients in ACT hospitals, including three (3) in intensive care with one (1) requiring ventilation.

Over 3,000 tests were collected across the ACT yesterday, from both Government and private providers.

ACT Pathology, along with our private providers, returned 3,093 negative test results in the 24 hours to 9am today.

Our vaccination efforts continue across the ACT with total vaccine doses administered now at 209,596.

We have over 210 current exposure locations listed for the ACT. Canberrans are asked to keep up to date on new locations on the ACT COVID-19 website.

ACT lockdown extended

The ACT lockdown will be extended for another two weeks, until 11.59pm, Friday 17 September 2021.

Although our lockdown measures have been effective in managing the outbreak, the number of cases being notified every day, including the number that are in the community for part of their infectious period, means there continues to be an important risk of COVID-19 spreading in the community.

This is the highly infectious Delta variant, and we need to continue to reduce movement of people at this time.

We know this is a challenging time and we thank all Canberrans for playing their part in helping to keep Canberra safe.

While the lockdown will be extended, there will be amendments to restrictions to allow for some lower-risk outdoor activities, acknowledging the benefits of being outdoors on the wellbeing of Canberrans.

The amendments to the Public Health Direction will come into effect from 5pm this Thursday (2 September), and include:

  • one household (any size) or up to 5 people can gather outdoors for up to 2 hours for exercise or non-organised recreation.
  • outdoor playgrounds, fitness stations and dog parks will reopen. Canberrans are asked to ensure that they maintain physical distancing wherever practicable.
  • the number of people able to attend a funeral increased to no more than 20 people (excluding the people necessary to conduct the funeral).
  • the number of people able to attend a wedding increased to no more than 10 attendees (excluding the celebrant, but including persons being married and two witnesses).
  • other religious ceremonies which are time critical are permitted to go ahead with no more than 10 people (excluding those conducting the service).
  • the recommencement of services that operate outdoors and where physical distancing can be maintained, such as outdoor maintenance and gardening and dog grooming services.

Due to the higher transmission risk of indoor spaces, and demonstrated risk of spread within households, gatherings in the home – including in outdoor areas – will still not be allowed at this stage.

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

ACT schools will continue with remote learning for the rest of Term 3. All ACT public schools will remain open for children of parents and carers who cannot work from home and vulnerable children. Those students will be able to attend their usual public school and access the same remote learning as their peers.

Early Childhood Education and Care services, including out of school hours care, also remain open for children of parents and carers who cannot work from home and vulnerable children.

As previously announced, from 3 September, the partial reopening of the construction sector will commence under stringent COVIDSafe requirements. These requirements will be actively enforced by Worksafe ACT and ACT Police.

We remind Canberrans that during lockdown we all need to stay at home and leave only for essential reasons. This is because some people who have COVID-19 may be infectious before they develop symptoms, and a small number of people with COVID-19 may not show any symptoms at all. This means that people with COVID-19 may be able to spread the disease to others, without knowing they are unwell.

The six essential reasons you can leave your home during lockdown:

  • to buy essential groceries and medicine
  • to access essential healthcare including in-home care
  • for essential work
  • for exercise or non-organised recreation outdoors in your region
  • to get a COVID-19 test
  • to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

It is important that people, where possible, continue to undertake essential activities within their local region.

Further information on ACT lockdown requirements in on the ACT COVID-19 website.