Canberrans should stay COVID Smart during the holidays – a time of year when many in our community plan to celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues.

Chris Steel, Acting Minister for Health, reminded Canberrans that we are still living with COVID-19 in our community.

“We encourage Canberrans to continue to make COVID Smart choices during the Christmas and New Year period and throughout the summer holidays.

“Remember to stay home if you feel unwell or have cold or flu symptoms and continue to test for COVID-19,” Mr Steel said.

“If you’re hosting a party throughout this festive season, consider using outdoor spaces because they present less risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

If it isn’t possible to celebrate outdoors, then ACT Health suggests:

• holding smaller gatherings;
• reducing the length of time spent indoors together;
• improving ventilation by keeping windows or doors open.

Mr Steel encouraged Canberrans to practise good hand and respiratory hygiene, and to wear a mask when entering public indoor settings or where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing.

“Stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, as this is the best protection from serious illness and hospitalisation,” Mr Steel said.

The ACT Government will provide free PCR testing for priority groups at the Garran testing centre until the end of February. Ongoing arrangements for PCR testing for the remainder of 2023 will be considered early in the new year. Those at lower risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 are advised to use a RAT.

The COVID-19 testing centre at Holt will close permanently on Friday 23 December.

ACT Government COVID-19 services will still be available over the holiday period, but will operate reduced hours from Sunday, 25 December, as follows:

• The Garran COVID-19 testing centre will be open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and will be closed on Sundays
• The Weston Creek COVID-19 clinic is open every day from 2pm to 10pm, including public holidays
• The COVID-19 Care@Home team is available by calling 02 5124 3085 between 8.30am and 5pm. The team of doctors and nurses are available every day, including public holidays.

The ACT Government has extended the COVID-19 Management Declaration for 90 days, to 28 March, following advice from the Chief Health Officer. This extension will allow the ACT to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 situation as appropriate.

Under the COVID-19 Management Declaration, Canberrans must report their positive rapid antigen tests results to ACT Health.

“Reporting of positive RATs, together with PCR test results, helps us to understand the impact of COVID-19 in the ACT and to provide early advice to individuals on symptom management and treatment options,” said Dr Kerryn Coleman, ACT Chief Health Officer.

Canberrans should wear a mask when visiting high-risk settings such as residential aged care facilities, hospitals, and disability care settings.

“All Canberra hospitals and public health facilities will continue to require mask wearing,” Dr Coleman said. “This is to protect those most at risk of severe health outcomes from COVID-19, as well as to preserve our essential frontline health care workforce. These requirements will be regularly reviewed.

“People must follow all the policies that providers put in place to ensure the safety of their facilities.

“Please do not visit a loved one in hospital if you have COVID-19. If you do have symptoms, consider doing a RAT before you visit a high-risk setting.”

For more information on COVID-19 and about services over the holiday period, including where to get tested, visit covid19.act.gov.au.