Although the NSW situation is serious, ACT health authorities advise there is no indication the ACT is at immediate risk, as the Territory remains COVID-free and wastewater results show no coronavirus fragments in the ACT catchment.

After careful assessment of the current situation, the ACT Government has advised there are no further changes to ACT travel restrictions at this time.

The Government said it is constantly monitoring the situation in NSW and “our surrounding region”, and is “continuing to prepare for multiple scenarios should we need to respond to any seeding or potential risk of COVID-19 entering the ACT”.

Speaking at a COVID update briefing this afternoon, ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said “as we continue this planning, we are asking the community to be aware that the situation could change very quickly and to be prepared to respond to any increase to restrictions or to any changes to travel advice”.

“The ACT would find it very difficult to implement a hard borer and that’s not something we are contemplating,” she said.

Within the Capital region there are thousands of essential workers who travel to the ACT each day, and thousands of people who rely on the ACT for essential goods and services.  

“In the event of tightening restrictions in the ACT, we will work very closely with surrounding communities to ensure that people understand the implications of any new requirements or restrictions that have been put in place,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“At this time, we are not introducing any [of these] new restrictions. What we are doing is planning and asking the community to be aware that things might change … we are also asking all Canberrans to reconsider any non-essential travel outside the ACT at this point in time.

“This will help to minimise the risk of COVID-19 entering the ACT.”

At a glance:

• More than 800 people in quarantine in the ACT
• Almost 700 people under stay-at-home orders
• Response to case here or in regional NSW would depend on the case and exposure sites
• ‘National Emergency’ comments from NSW have heightened concerns earlier today – given the additional action from NSW and what we know about the regional situation, CHO is determined that no further action is needed at this time
• No identified close or casual contacts from Goulburn or Marulan exposure sites are in the ACT at this time
• “As soon as we’ve got something to say … we will update the community.”
• Could be updates over the weekend, depends on situation
• CHO reassesses the situation everyday

For up-to-date COVID advice, visit www.covid19.act.gov.au

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