Canberrans can book in Christmas holidays beyond the ACT’s bounds despite adding 25 new locally acquired infections to its COVID-19 caseload.

Exemptions are in place for travel to some cross-border communities, however the ACT has been looking at expanding regional travel limits.

As the territory enters its final week in lockdown, there is still uncertainty among residents near the NSW border as the nation’s most populous state prepares to ease restrictions on Monday.

And although Chief Minister Andrew Barr also notes Victoria is lagging somewhat in terms of vaccination rollout, he says there is every expectation its border will be open by December.

“People can definitely make Christmas and summer holiday plans for the south coast and for Victoria, based on their current vaccination rates,” he declared in the capital on Saturday.

A dozen of the cases reported on Saturday had been linked to known clusters, Mr Barr said.

Nine of the 25 were in quarantine during their entire infection period while the source of 16 was under early investigation.

There were 430 active cases across the ACT in total with more than 700 patients having recovered from infection.

Mr Barr says the national capital is “on the path to becoming one of the most vaccinated cities in the world”, with 97.1 per cent of Canberrans having received a first dose and 69.3 per cent a second jab.

The bulk of the territory’s vaccination program over the next 21 days will focus on second doses, he says.

“There are around 40,000 bookings for second doses in ACT government clinics alone in the coming weeks,” he told reporters.

“We are going to work hard to ensure that anyone who wants access to a vaccine can.”

Health chief Kerryn Coleman said on Saturday there were 17 COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals, two of them fully vaccinated and three partially.

Dr Coleman said five people were in ICU and in need of ventilation.

Meanwhile, more pop-up or walk-in clinics could be rolled out in the ACT in a bid to boost vaccine rates among the young.

The government is considering all options, with people 20-24 revealed as having the lowest take-up rate.

First-dose numbers for the group have exceeded 75 per cent. However more than 84 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds have received their first jab just over a month after becoming eligible.

Mr Barr said Saturday’s press conference would be the last of its kind, with statements to be issued on weekends instead.

The ACT’s lockdown is set to end on October 15.

AAP

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