COVID-19 pandemic restrictions will ease in the ACT over the next week, the ACT Government has announced.

From 6pm today, Friday 18 February:

• All density limits that apply to restricted businesses and activities will be removed. Businesses will no longer need to display signage for capacity limits.
• Patrons will no longer need to sit down while eating and drinking in hospitality and licensed venues. Dancing will be permitted.
• Ticketing and preregistration requirements for events will be removed.
• Employees can return to the workplace where it suits them and their employer.

On Monday 21 February:

• Elective surgery will resume at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, with a gradual return to full capacity in following days. (Non-essential elective surgery ceased at Calvary Public Hospital, but not at Canberra Hospital, on 7 January due to the Omicron wave.)

From 11.59pm Monday 21 February:

• The mandatory quarantine period for unvaccinated international travellers will be reduced to seven days.
• Unvaccinated travellers will still need exemptions to enter the ACT to complete their quarantine period.
• International travellers will no longer need to complete an online declaration form.
• Testing requirements and restrictions on entering high-risk settings for international travellers will remain.

From 11.59pm Friday 25 February:

• Face mask requirements indoors will change. Details will be announced next week.
• Exemption requirements for all events will be removed. However, events of more than 5,000 people will be asked to submit their COVID Safety Plans to ACT Health for review.

Check In CBR will still be required at businesses where it is currently mandated, and all businesses must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.

“The past few years have been a tumultuous time in the Territory, and we acknowledge that the impacts of COVID-19 have been felt differently across the city,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

The Chief Minister thanked local businesses for being “really supportive” of the ongoing ACT COVID-19 public health restrictions.

“Our case numbers have steadied, and we are cautiously optimistic about the autumn period. While we recognise the situation could change if a new variant of concern emerges or there is a surge in cases, this step is designed to minimise the disruption of COVID-19 on our local businesses when it is safe to do so.

“The winter months will present increased risks, and the ACT Government will join national efforts to prepare for a period where our health system may come under significant strain,” Mr Barr said.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health, said Canberrans can support the public health response by recognising “COVID-smart” behaviours.

“Through the Omicron wave, we’ve seen the protective effect of our world-leading vaccination rate, and I’m confident Canberrans understand the simple actions and behaviours we can all take to protect ourselves and others,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“Being COVID-smart also means recognising that some in our community are particularly vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID-19, and it’s important to be considerate of those for whom easing of restrictions may create some anxiety.”

Meanwhile, the ACT recorded 561 new cases today and 45 people are now in hospital with the virus.

Two patients in hospital are in the ICU with one requiring ventilation.

There have been 43,768 total COVID cases in Canberra and 32 deaths.

Further information is available on the ACT COVID-19 website at www.covid19.act.gov.au.

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