23 February 2022

In response to the evolving COVID-19 risk in the ACT, mandatory face mask requirements will ease from 6:00pm on Friday (25 February 2022).

Throughout the pandemic, Canberrans have supported the ACT Government’s public health response, while the Government has regularly reviewed restrictions with the aim of easing them when that was appropriate.

In response to the current COVID‑19 situation, the Chief Health Officer has recommended reducing the requirement to wear a mask indoors to only high-impact settings.

From Friday, it will only be mandatory to wear a face mask if you’re:

  • on public transport, including buses, light rail, taxis, rideshare and demand response vehicles. Drivers of these vehicles must wear a mask when transporting passengers
  • an employee or visitor in a high-risk setting, including hospitals, residential aged care facilities, correctional facilities or residential accommodation facilities
  • a worker who provides services to a person with a disability
  • a worker for in-home and community aged care providers
  • a staff member or visitor in all indoor spaces at a school or early childhood education and care setting. Students in years 7 to 12 are also required to wear a face mask while in an indoor space at school
  • inside the Canberra Airport terminal or on a domestic flight in or out of Canberra Airport.

These changes bring the ACT into line with similar mask requirements in NSW and Victoria.

In addition, from 11:59pm on Friday, anyone who tests positive to a rapid antigen test (RAT) must report their result to ACT Health via the online form on the ACT COVID-19 website. They must also isolate for 7 days, in the same way as those who test positive to a PCR test.

Anyone who tests positive, either by PCR test or RAT, will now also be encouraged to take reasonable steps to notify any potential high-risk or moderate risk contacts.

Also from 11.59pm on Friday, organisers of events with more than 2,000 attendees will no longer be required to seek an exemption – as long as they are ticketed, or attendees pre-register or use the Check In CBR app. Organisers for events of more than 5,000 people will still need to submit their COVID Safety Plans for review by ACT Health.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said although public health social measures are further easing in the ACT, masks are still highly recommended to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

'We’ve seen strong compliance with the face mask mandate over recent months and I want to thank Canberrans for doing the right thing,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.

'Canberrans are encouraged to continue wearing a face mask in public indoor settings, particularly where it may be difficult to maintain appropriate physical distancing.

'Workplaces should consider what mask wearing policies they should implement, both for employees and any clients or visitors that may visit their premises.

'This is particularly important for businesses that employ staff with customer-facing roles, and especially for those who are likely to be interacting with vulnerable community members. Information to assist businesses, venues and organisations in developing and updating COVID Safety Plans can be found on the Business Hub.”

By the end of February, an update to Check In CBR will enable app notifications about potential COVID-19 exposures so Canberrans know to monitor for symptoms.

Canberrans are asked to update their app to ensure the new functionality is activated. If they have already verified their details via the app as requested, no further action is needed.