From ACT Health:
Confirmed cases update
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, leaving the ACT’s total at 118. There are no active cases in the ACT.
A total of 115 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT.
There are no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals.
The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths.
The number of negative tests recorded in the ACT is now 143,449.
Urgent information related to Greater Brisbane
This morning the Queensland Government announced a three-day lockdown of Greater Brisbane from 6pm tonight to assess and stop the spread of the UK strain of COVID-19 which is more transmissible. Queensland Health has advised people not to leave Greater Brisbane (Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan Local Government Areas (LGAs)) during the lockdown period, and non-residents currently in Greater Brisbane are strongly encouraged to remain until the end of the restriction period.
The ACT Chief Health Officer is issuing a Public Health Direction, commencing at 3pm today, which declares the Greater Brisbane a COVID-19 affected area. This is to support the Queensland Government in managing the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the ACT community.
For ACT Residents currently in the Greater Brisbane Area
If you are an ACT resident currently in Greater Brisbane, we advise you to follow the Queensland Health advice and remain until the end of the lockdown period unless it is absolutely essential for you to return to the ACT. If you do decide to return, you will need to fill out the online declaration form as soon as possible prior to travelling, quarantine for 14 days upon return and get tested if you have symptoms. For any ACT residents who have been in Greater Brisbane on or after 2 January 2021 and have already returned to the ACT, you must fill out the declaration form, immediately enter quarantine for 14 days from when you were last in Greater Brisbane, and get tested of you have symptoms.
The online declaration form will be available on the COVID-19 website from 3pm today.
Anyone currently in the ACT who has been in Greater Brisbane since 2 January 2021
Anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane since 2 January 2021 and is currently in the ACT must also complete the online form and quarantine immediately if you are staying in the ACT.
You must complete this online form as soon as possible, and within 24 hours of the commencement of the Public Health Direction. The form will be available on the COVID-19 website from 3pm today.
COVID-19 Testing
It is essential that you monitor yourself closely for symptoms of COVID-19 which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and loss of sense of smell or taste. If you develop any of these symptoms, even if mild, you should arrange to get tested. If you have been to a location in Queensland at the same time as a confirmed case you should also arrange to get tested. Please keep up to date with the contact tracing locations on the QLD Health website and follow the specific testing advice at: www.health.qld.gov.au
For all other people who were in Greater Brisbane at this time you may also get tested while you are in quarantine. If a testing centre is busy, you should return at a later time.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, this testing advice may change. Please monitor the ACT Health website for updates. For more information on where to get tested, visit: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/stay-safe-and-healthy/symptoms-and-getting-tested
Reconsider your travel to Queensland
With the situation in Queensland rapidly evolving, ACT Health is also urging the ACT community not to travel to Greater Brisbane at this time.
If you do travel, you may be required to quarantine upon your return to the ACT. However, it is far safer not to visit COVID-19 affected areas as any visit to these areas puts you and the wider community at risk.
Reconsider your travel to the ACT from a COVID-19 affected area
For any non-ACT residents who have been in a COVID-19 affected area and who are intending to travel to the ACT, do not come to the ACT at this time.
Exemptions to enter will only be granted in extenuating circumstances.
Transit via Greater Brisbane
If you are transiting through Brisbane for the purpose of travelling to another location in Queensland or to return to the ACT, you may do this as long as you do not leave Brisbane Airport, stop or exit your vehicle while in Greater Brisbane. This also includes using a hire car if you are flying to Brisbane.
We will reassess the situation in three days before making further decisions. The safety of the ACT community is paramount and we will continue to work to keep the ACT safe of the impacts of this global pandemic.
ACT Health will continue to work closely with ACT Policing to support compliance with the Public Health Direction. Not following public health directions is a criminal offence and penalties apply.
For more information, visit: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/travel
COVID-19 fragments detected in Ulladulla waste water
NSW Health has advised that fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in a sewage treatment plant at Ulladulla for the first time. This catchment takes sewage from Narrawallee, Milton, Mollymook Beach, Ulladulla, Kings Point, Burrill Lake, Dolphin Point and Lake Tabourie. If you have recently been in these areas, NSW Health advises to monitor for symptoms. If you have even the mildest of symptoms, get tested and self-isolate immediately.
Reminder about travel to COVID-19 affected areas in NSW
ACT Health is continuing to urge the ACT community not to travel to Greater Sydney, Central Coast or Wollongong at this time, including for the cricket test match. If you do, you will be required to quarantine upon your return to the ACT.
Non-ACT resident who have been to these COVID-19 affected areas in NSW are legally not permitted to enter the ACT without a valid exemption. They will need to apply for an exemption at least three days prior to their travel.
ACT residents returning from COVID-affected areas of NSW can still return to the ACT, but still need to notify ACT Health of their intention to return via our online declaration form and enter quarantine for 14 days from when they were last in a COVID-affected area.
It is far safer not to visit COVID-19 affected areas as any visit to these areas puts both the individual and the wider community at risk. Please also reconsider any non-essential travel into other areas of NSW at this time, unless absolutely necessary.
For more information on the latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates#latest-covid-19-case-locations-in-nsw
Advice for people travelling to the ACT from Victoria
With the situation in Victoria constantly changing, ACT Health recommends people who have returned to the ACT from Victoria check back in to make sure they haven’t been in contact with a confirmed case – https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks
Anybody who has been in one of the locations at the times listed should follow the health advice of the Victorian Government.
Noting that there are three different categories of exposure sites on the website, it is important people check all the public locations that are listed and follow the specific health instructions for the relevant exposure site.
