The COVID-19 update provided by the NSW Government today will have no impact on the ACT’s travel restrictions for the Christmas period.

“While the situation in NSW is encouraging, with eight new cases, the Chief Health Officer has determined that there is still the potential risk in the ACT,” acting Health Minister Chris Steel said today.

He said while the Government doesn’t have an exact date for when the travel restrictions will end, it is likely they will remain in place until at least New Year’s Day with the Government closely monitoring the situation in NSW.

“I know that this will be disappointing news for many people who wanted to see family and friends over the Christmas period,” Mr Steel said.

“The reality is that the virus and the whole pandemic is far from over, and the virus still poses a risk to the Canberra community.”

Mr Steel said in the New Year, the ACT’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerryn Coleman would be taking into account a range of factors, including NSW case numbers, testing rates and the prevalence of community transmission before making a decision on when the travel restrictions would be eased.

The ACT recorded no new cases of COVID-19 today, Wednesday 23 December. 1,300 people have been tested in the last 24 hours, which is the highest ever daily testing rate for the Territory.

One active case of COVID-19 remains in the ACT; an individual in self-quarantine.

Caution urged for holiday period

“Many people will be out and about during the Christmas and New Year’s period,” Mr Steel said.

“People will be gathering in larger groups than perhaps they have been over the past few weeks… and so this does present a greater risk of transmission.”

Travellers are also urged to keep up to date with health advice in the State or Territory they are travelling to.

“Upon your return you must keep an eye on the health alerts from that area as well, to make sure that you weren’t in an area where close contact with a COVID-19 case has occurred.”

For more information and to keep up to date with the latest advice, visit covid19.act.gov.au

• Libby Kimber