ACT COVID-19 Roadmap

Update: Easing Restrictions – October 18 2021

On 18 October, the ACT has reached the milestone of having more than 80% of its population aged 12+.

Accordingly, the following restrictions will now be eased:

From 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October:

• Non-essential retail will be able to open under the 1/4sqm rule

From 29 October:

• Food courts will re-open under the 1/4sqm rule
• Masks will no longer be mandatory outside

From 1 November:

• ACT residents will be free to travel throughout NSW subject to NSW’s health orders
• People arriving from overseas will be subject to the same quarantine requirements as NSW”

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On 27 September 2020, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the Territory’s next steps out of lockdown.

Subject to the public health risk remaining relatively stable, relaxation of current restrictions will commence from 12:01am on October 1. Lockdown will end at 11:59pm on October 14 when 80% of 12+ Canberrans are expected to be fully vaccinated.

Easing Restrictions – 1 October 2021

From Friday 1 October, certain restrictions will come into effect. The mask requirement will continue for those aged 12 years and older.

Gatherings

• Two people will be permitted to visit another household.
• Up to five people can gather outdoors for exercise, or non-organised recreation, for up to four hours.
• Two people, excluding instructors, may take part in outdoor bootcamps, personal training, may take place.
• National Parks and nature reserves will reopen for recreation.

Business

• Non-essential retail business will be open for ‘click and collect’ and delivery services with up to 5 people in the business at any one time, or one person per four square metres (whichever is less).

Education

• From Tuesday 5 October, year 12 students will be permitted to return to on-campus learning.
• From Tuesday 5 October, year 11 students can attend school for essential assessments if they cannot wait until 18 October.  

Easing Restrictions – 15 October 2021

From Friday 15 October, the ACT Lockdown will be lifted. By this time, the ACT is set to reach 80% full vaccination, and the rest of the nation is expected to have reached 70%.

Gatherings

• From Friday 15 October, five people can visit another household, and 25 people can gather outdoors.

• From Friday 15 October, the following activities can operate with a capacity of 25 people, or a density of one per four square metres (whichever is less):
• Gyms (excluding classes) and organised outdoor training
• Weddings
• Outdoor play centres
• Places of worship
• Gaming and gambling venues
• Outdoor tours
• Community centres

Business

• Upon the lifting of Lockdown, licensed venues, cafes, and restaurants, will be open for seated service, with a maximum of 25 people, or one per four square metres indoors.
• Or businesses can have up to 50 people, or one per four square metres outdoors.
• Non-essential retail business can conduct ‘click and collect’ and delivery services.
• Small businesses can operate by contactless means with up to 10 people in the business at any one time, or one person per four square metres (whichever is less).
• Personal services such as hairdressers and beauty salons can open with a maximum of five clients.
• Accommodation, campgrounds, caravan parks, and campsites can open in line with gathering restrictions.
• Employers can implement a gradual workplace return.
• Funerals may have 50 attendees.

Education

• From Monday 25 October, preschool, kindergarten, and years 1,2,6,9 and 10, can return to on-campus learning and out-of-school hours care.
• From Monday 25 October, children can also return to early childhood education and care.

Easing Restrictions – 29 October 2021

From Friday 29 October, the following easing of restrictions will take place:

Gatherings

• 10 people can visit a household, and 30 people can gather outdoors.
• For ticketed and seated events, outdoor events can have up to 500 people; indoor events with fixed seating can have 75% capacity, up to 500 people; indoor events with no fixed seats can have one per four square metres, up to 150 people.

Business

The following activities can operate with a capacity of 25 people across the venue before density limits apply; over 25 people will mean one per four square metres, or a maximum of 100 people; outdoor will be one per two square metres, or a maximum of 150 people:

• Licensed venues, cafes and restaurants
• Gyms with classes limited to 20 people
• Organised sport and swimming pools
• Play and amusement centres
• Places of worship
• Real estate services and auctions
• Gaming and gambling venues
• Outdoor attractions
• Weddings
• Funerals
• Community centres

• Retail business will be permitted to open with one per four square metres.
• Cinemas, galleries, and museums will be open in line with gathering restrictions
• Dance classes, choirs, and bands, may commence with a maximum of 20 people or one per four square metres (whichever is less)

Education

• From Monday 1 November, years 3,4,5,7, and 8, can return to on campus learning and out-of-school hours care.

Further Information

For a full copy of the ACT’s future restrictions, please see here.

For more information, please contact your Hawker Britton Consultant Simon Banks on +61 419 648 587.