ACT not ruling out further restrictions as NSW COVID-19 situation escalates

ACT Health authorities say they may put in place further restrictions if NSW’s COVID-19 situation continues to escalate.

The ACT announced ‘stay-at-home’ restrictions yesterday for anyone who has been in one of the seven affected local government areas of Sydney: City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside and Woollahra.

As well, anyone who has been in the broader Greater Sydney region, including the Central Coast, Nepean Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions, must complete an online declaration form.

ACT Health said in a statement today, while there will be no tightening of restrictions pertaining to businesses or gatherings at the moment, authorities would be watching the situation closely.

“There are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 in the ACT. However, with the significant movement of people between NSW and the ACT, COVID-19 is a very real risk of entering our community and current travel restrictions remain in place.

“The safety of the ACT community is paramount and we are prepared to take relevant precautions as necessary to keep Canberra safe and strong.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation very closely and may put in place new restrictions if required in order to keep our community safe.”

NSW officially recorded 18 new local cases of COVID-19 today, 13 of which were announced yesterday, bringing the ‘Bondi cluster’ to a total of 36 cases.

With school holidays due to start next week, ACT Health reminded Canberrans not to travel to the Greater Sydney region.

Around 1,400 people have reportedly declared their need to be under stay-at-home orders in the ACT due to travel to affected areas of Sydney, while the ACT’s COVID-19 testing clinics are experiencing “significantly longer wait times”.

ACT Health said operating times would be extended to 7am-6.30pm for the EPIC and Weston testing clinics today and tomorrow. Extra staff will be also rostered on for both locations.

As well, ACT Health confirmed it would extend the travel requirements for Victoria for another week to 11.59pm on 1 July.

The ACT Government has a dedicated COVID-19 website: covid-19.act.gov.au