ACT to move to Stage 4 of Canberra’s Recovery Plan

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Published: 26 November 2020

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Written by Andrew Page

From ACT COVID-19 Media

From 9am on Wednesday 2 December, the ACT will move to Stage 4 of Canberra’s Recovery Plan, subject to the ACT’s COVID-19 situation remaining stable.

Stage 4 of Canberra’s Recovery Plan will introduce the following changes to the ACT’s COVID-19 restrictions:

  • If businesses wish to have more than 25 people across their venue, they can apply the one person per two square metres of usable space rule in both indoor and outdoor spaces provided they use the Check In CBR app to collect patron contact details.
    • Venues will have until Wednesday 16 December 2020 to register with Check In CBR to meet this requirement.
    • If a venue does not wish to use Check In CBR, they must continue with Step 3.2 provisions of one person per four square metres of usable space indoors and one person per two square metres of usable space outdoors.
  • Patrons can now consume food standing up in both indoor and outdoor spaces but must continue to be seated when consuming alcohol in indoor spaces.
  • GIO Stadium and Manuka Oval will be able to have crowds of up to 65 per cent capacity, so long as each event is ticketed and seated, and a COVID Safe Plan is in place.
  • Other enclosed outdoor venues with permanent tiered seating and grandstands will be able to have crowds of up to 65 per cent capacity, up to a maximum of 1,500 people. Events must be ticketed and seated and have a COVID Safe Plan.
  • Large indoor performance venues, such as theatres and arenas, can have up to 65 per cent capacity for seated and ticketed events, up to a maximum of 1,500 people. Events must be ticketed and seated and have a COVID Safe Plan.
  • Cinemas and movie theatres can seat up to 65 per cent of capacity for each theatre, up to 500 people per theatre or cinema, provided they use the Check in CBR app to collect patron contact details. Otherwise they must continue with Step 3.2 provisions of 50 per cent capacity.
  • Events up to 8,000 people will be able to be considered for exemptions under the COVID Safe Event Protocol, up from 5,000. Any events or gatherings in the ACT above 500 people continue to require an exemption under the protocol.

ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said these changes would enable businesses to again welcome back more patrons in time for the busy summer period, while also striking a balance with the continued need to protect the ACT community from COVID-19.

“We acknowledge that many businesses of all types have been impacted by the public health restrictions, and these changes will help them return to a COVID-safe business as usual as we head into summer,” Dr Coleman said.

“The ACT remains in a great position in responding to COVID-19, and while we may all be all growing a little weary of the restrictions in place, they are an essential part of reducing spread of infection and the size of outbreaks that may occur and ensuring we are able to effectively contact trace in that scenario.

“That said, we are confident that we can make these changes to our restrictions next Wednesday, with our COVID-19 situation remaining stable.”

Dr Coleman said all venues wishing to have one person per two square metres indoors from next Wednesday would be required to use the Check In CBR app to collect patron details.

“For venues that wish to welcome one person per two square metres to their premises, we will be requiring them to use Check In CBR to collect patron details,” Dr Coleman said.

“Having all our ACT businesses and venues providing the contact details of their patrons securely and directly to ACT Health will help give us greater confidence that we can continue to open up, while being in a good position to effectively and quickly respond to any potential COVID-19 outbreaks in the Territory.

“Check In CBR is free, easy and secure to implement and our team at ACT Health is ready to help any business or venue that may require assistance implementing this.”

It is anticipated this level of restrictions will remain in place over the summer, with the next Public Health Checkpoint to be conducted on Friday 12 February 2021.

To view the latest version of Canberra’s Recovery Plan, visit: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/community/canberra-recovery

For information of the changes to restrictions, visit: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/what-you-can-do/faqs-changes-to-restrictions

 

Update on events in the ACT

Today the ACT Government announced there will be changes to upcoming government events in the ACT due to COVID-19. This includes New Year’s Eve celebrations, Australia Day in the Capital, the National Multicultural Festival and the Enlighten Festival.

Unfortunately mass public gatherings – particularly those that are free, non-ticketed, with unrestricted movement of people through a certain area – are unlikely to proceed for some time.

The ACT Government has carefully considered how we might deliver these events in a COVID-safe way so they might still go ahead and to give event organisers and stakeholders as much certainty as possible.

For more information go to: www.covid19.act.gov.au/news-articles/update-on-events-in-the-act

Government-facilitated flight for returning Australians

Today, Canberra will welcome approximately 120 returning Australians on a government-facilitated flight from Singapore. All passengers have entered 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine, supported by ACT Health, ACT Policing and the Australian Defence Force.

The ACT and Commonwealth governments have worked collaboratively to put in place processes and arrangements for the safe quarantine of international arrivals to the ACT. Following the National Review into Hotel Quarantine and learning from other state and territories, ACT Health has put in place further measures to protect the ACT community.

Health officials conducted COVID-19 and other health screening on arrival and will test all passengers twice: on day 1 and between days 10 and12. There will be additional precautions for hotel staff and government employees in contact with returned travellers, including daily surveillance of symptoms and regular testing.

The ACT Health wellbeing team, including social workers and psychologists, will be in regular contact with those in quarantine to provide support.

 

Advice on travel between the ACT and South Australia

ACT Health continues to monitor the situation in South Australia.

Anyone coming from South Australia must complete an online declaration prior to entry. More information about this declaration process and the online declaration are available on the ACT COVID-19 website.

If you have been in South Australia, please monitor the South Australian situation closely, including the list of exposure sites identified by SA Health. Check this site regularly for 14 days after you return.

 

General information

It is everyone’s responsibility to follow the health advice and do what we can to ensure we keep ourselves and the community safe. We ask Canberrans to:

    • Keep 1.5 metres apart from people or groups you don’t know
    • Continue good hand and respiratory hygiene
    • Stay home if you are unwell
    • Get tested if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

The ACT Government has a dedicated COVID-19 website for all information about the health and economic response to the pandemic in the ACT. For further information visit www.covid19.act.gov.au.

The ACT Government also has a helpline to assist Canberrans through the challenges of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Helpline is (02) 6207 7244 and is available between 8am and 8pm daily.