Current restrictions

Face coverings / masks

• Any person aged 12 years or older must wear a face mask in indoor settings (other than a place of residence).
• A person is not required to wear a face mask if they have a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face mask detrimental to their condition.
• For more information see Face masks requirements.

Social Gatherings, Leaving Home and Visitors

Interstate travel

• There are currently no restrictions on interstate travel to the ACT.
• Persons who are currently under quarantine or isolation requirements seeking to travel to the ACT should refer to the Entering and Leaving the ACT page for further information.

International travel

• Fully vaccinated travellers who are returning from overseas and want to enter the ACT must first follow the requirements of the jurisdiction of their port of entry.
• If travellers are permitted to travel to the ACT, they must:
  • Complete an online declaration form within 24 hours of arrival into the ACT.
  • Undergo a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Australia and quarantine until a negative test result is received.
• International travellers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days at their port of entry.
  • We will only consider exemptions to travel to the ACT to complete quarantine in exceptional circumstances.
• Travellers are not permitted to enter high risk settings for 14 days following arrival into Australia.
• More detailed guidance for travellers arriving from overseas and who wish to enter the ACT can be accessed on the Overseas travel page.

• From 30 December 2021: Canberrans are encouraged to work from home where it suits the employee and the employer to do so. It is recognised that many employees may need to return to the workplace to meet business needs or for their own wellbeing, however working from home wherever possible will help to reduce transmission.

Education and Childcare

READ: Health guidelines for schools

Early Childhood Education and Care:

• Back to on campus learning, in accordance with Health Guidelines for ECECs and Schools.
• End of year school events can take place in accordance with the End of Year Event Guidelines for Schools.

Schools:

• Back to on campus learning, in accordance with Health Guidelines for ECECs and Schools.
• Out of School Hours care available to all students.
• End of year school events can take place in accordance with the End of Year Event Guidelines for Schools.

Higher Education and Training:

• Back to on campus learning as determined by the facility.
• Density limits apply (one person per two square metres in all indoor spaces).

Public Transport

Buses and Light Rail:

• Summer holiday timetable.
• Light rail services operating as normal.

Taxis, Hire Car and Ride Share Services

• Operating as normal.

Businesses not covered elsewhere in the Direction (including retail, where essential or non-essential)

• Businesses must meet their work, health and safety obligations.
• One person per two square metres must be applied to any indoor areas of the business which are accessible to the public.
• No density limits apply to outdoor spaces which are accessible to the public.

Hospitality and Licensed Venues

Licensed Venues, Cafes, Restaurants and Food Courts

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Dancing is not permitted.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.

Food Courts

• Can apply one person per two square metres within each indoor space
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.

Night Clubs

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Dancing is not permitted.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.

Gaming and Gambling Venues

Casinos, Clubs, Gambling Venues and Betting Agencies

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Dancing is not permitted.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.

Hairdressing, Beauty and Personal Services

Hairdressing and Barbers, Beauty Therapy, Day Spas, Nail Salons, Waxing Salons, Tanning Salons, Tattoo Parlours and Body Modification Studios

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff), or
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).

Strip Clubs and Brothels

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Dancing is not permitted.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.

Places of Worship, Weddings and Funerals

Places of Worship

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If places of worship wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Choirs should continue to maintain physical distancing from congregation while singing.
• Maintain COVID Safe behaviours such as hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, face mask use and check in where required.

Funerals

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If funerals wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Maintain COVID Safe behaviours such as hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, face mask use and check in where required.

Weddings

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If more than 25 people, venues can apply:
  • One person per two square metres within each indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Dancing is permitted but numbers on the dance floor should allow for one person per two square metres of space

Fitness and Sport

Gyms, Health Clubs, Fitness Centres or Wellness Centres, Personal Training and Bootcamps

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.
• Class sizes limited by density restrictions.

Swimming Pools

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If swimming pools wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff); and
  • No more than 2,000 people across the site (indoors and outdoors).
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces
• If swimming pools can have more than 1,000 people across the site they must submit their COVID Safety Plan to ACT Health for review
• Exemptions will be considered for events, in accordance with the COVID-19 Safe Event Guidance.

Dance Classes

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If dance classes wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Class sizes limited by density restrictions.

Organised Sporting Activities

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If sporting activities wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff); and
  • No more than 2,000 people across the site (indoors and outdoors).
• Sporting events with between 1,000-2,000 people (exc staff but including participants and spectators) must submit their COVID Safety Plan to ACT Health in accordance with the COVID Safe Event Guidance document.
• Exemptions will be considered for events greater than 2,000 people, in accordance with the COVID-19 Safe Event Guidance.
  • Noting that larger events are usually held under venue which are separately listed in the Direction (eg Manuka Oval and GIO Stadium)

Outdoor Physical Recreation and Campgrounds

Campgrounds, Caravan Parks and Camp Sites:

• Any gatherings on site need to comply with gathering limits

Outdoor playgrounds, Skate Parks, Fitness Stations and Dog Parks:

• Any gatherings on site need to comply with gathering limits

Nature Reserves

• Any gatherings on site need to comply with gathering limits

Indoor or Outdoor Play Centres, Arcades or Amusement Centres

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If more than 25 people, venues can apply:
  • One person per two square metres within each indoor and outdoor space (exc staff).

Community and Cultural Facilities, Activities and Attractions

Libraries

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If Libraries wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff), and
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

Community Centres, Facilities or Youth Centres

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If facilities wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff)
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Activities being held in these facilities which are referenced elsewhere must comply with the conditions for those activities (eg. weddings, martial arts, sporting activities, and dance classes).

Galleries, Museums, National Cultural Institution, Historic Sites, Outdoor Attractions (Zoos and other Tourism Attractions)

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff or volunteers).
• If venues wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff)
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

Musical Rehearsals - Choirs, Bands and Orchestras (higher risk activity)

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If ensembles wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Class sizes limited by density restrictions.
• Participants to maintain physical distancing wherever possible, particularly for higher risk activities
  • For school activities: Masks are not required to be worn while rehearsing if singing or playing an instrument that requires use of the mouth. Masks should be put back on as soon as possible after rehearsals

Events and Performance Venues, Conferences and Cinemas

Indoor Entertainment and Event Venues (including venues with forward facing, fixed and tiered seating – theatres, arenas or auditoriums).

Indoor theatre-style venues with fixed and tiered seating:

• 100 per cent of fixed seating capacity for each space.
• Density quotients do not apply for unfixed seating areas when performances are being held.
• Events over 1,000 people must be ticketed or pre-registered (smaller events must use Check in CBR)
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking.

Other Indoor performance and entertainment venues:

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff or volunteers).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.
• Venues to display a sign at the entrance of each space specifying occupancy limit for any indoor spaces.
• Events over 1,000 people must be ticketed or pre-registered (smaller events must use Check in CBR)
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking.
• Dancing is not permitted.

Live Performance Events

• Exemptions can be sought to host live performance events at up to three persons per four square metres (75 per cent) of usable indoor space, subject to the event being ticketed and seated wherever practicable.
• Exemptions to be submitted in accordance with the COVID Safe Event Guidance.
• Events must be ticketed.
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking.
• Dancing is not permitted.

Conference and Convention Venues

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

National Convention Centre

• For areas with fixed and tiered seating, 100 per cent of fixed seating capacity.
• For areas with unfixed seating, one person per two square metres to be applied per useable indoor space (exc staff).
• No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

For all venues listed above:

• Events over 1,000 people must be ticketed or pre-registered (smaller events must use Check in CBR)
• Patrons must be seated while eating and drinking. This applies to indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Exemptions will be considered for events, in accordance with the COVID-19 Safe Event Guidance(under 2,000 people) or COVID Safe Event Guidance (more than 2,000 people).
• Activities being held in these facilities which are referenced elsewhere must comply with the conditions for those activities (eg. weddings).

Cinemas or Movie Theatres

• Sessions must be ticketed.
• 100 per cent of fixed seating capacity for each space.
• Density quotients do not apply for unfixed seating areas when performances are being held, noting that venues may not be able to maintain one person per two sqm in lobby and bar areas when operating at 100% capacity.

Outdoor Entertainment and Event Venues (including venues with forward facing, fixed and tiered seating - stadiums, concert venues)

Outdoor venues – enclosed with permanent tiered stadiums:

• 100 per cent of fixed seating capacity for each space (exc staff).
• For areas with unfixed seating, one person per two square metres to be applied per useable indoor space (exc staff).
• Events over 1,000 people must be ticketed or pre-registered (smaller events must use Check in CBR)
• For events with between 1,000-2,000 people (exc staff, but including participants and spectators) must submit their COVID Safety Plan to ACT Health in accordance with the COVID Safe Event Guidance document.
• Events of greater than 2,000 people require an exemption.

GIO Stadium and Manuka Oval

• 100 per cent of fixed seating capacity.
• For areas with unfixed seating, one person per two square metres to be applied per useable indoor space (exc staff).

Exhibition Park in Canberra

• For areas with unfixed seating, one person per two square metres to be applied per useable indoor space (exc staff).
• 100 per cent of any fixed and tiered seating areas (exc staff)
• Events of greater than 3,000 people require an exemption.

For all venues listed above:

• Events over 1,000 people must be ticketed or pre-registered (smaller events must use Check in CBR)
• Eating and drinking while standing is permitted.
• Exemptions will be considered for events, in accordance with the COVID-19 Safe Event Guidance.
• Activities being held in these facilities which are referenced elsewhere must comply with the conditions for those activities (eg. weddings).

Real Estate Services and Auction Houses

Real Estate:

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, venues apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

Auction Houses

• 25 people across the venue before density limits apply (exc staff).
• If businesses wish to have more than 25 people, they can apply:
  • One person per two square metres per usable indoor space (exc staff).
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces.

Tours and Accommodation

Accommodation

• Open

Tours (eg walking tours)

• Open in line with applicable gathering restrictions.

Tour transport:

• Open in line with applicable gathering restrictions.

• Building and construction activities must operate in accordance with their COVID-19 Safety Plan which must be consistent with the ACT Building and Construction Industry COVID-19 Guidance Document.
• Building and construction activities can apply the following density limits for all work sites:
  • one person per two square metres for all indoor spaces.
  • No density limits apply to outdoor spaces

Visitor Restrictions:

• From 11:59pm on 21 December 2021, residential aged care facilities (RACF) must not allow more than 5 visitors to visit a resident at any one time or in any one day, other than for end of life visits.
  • RACFs to determine within their own policies whether visitors are required to be vaccinated.

Visitors to Hospital Facilities

Visitor Restrictions:

• From 12.01am on 26 December 2021, Canberra’s health facilities will tighten visitor restrictions.
• No visitors will be able to enter a health facility unless in exceptional circumstances such as end of life, birthing or for paediatric care.