Weddings of 5, no events: what ACT lockdown means

Weddings are limited to five attendees and funerals to 10, and lovers can tryst, while public events are cancelled and most eateries can operate for take-away only when the ACT goes into a seven-day lockdown at 5pm today.

Anyone aged 12 years and over must wear a mask at all times upon leaving home, including in workplaces (some exemptions apply). A scarf or bandanna is not a facemask.

Here’s a rundown of the do’s and don’ts of lockdown:

ACT residents are asked to stay at home for all but essential purposes, which includes attending essential work or study that can’t be done online, to access childcare or school, to shop for essentials, to attend to medical or health care needs (including COVID vaccinations or tests), to visit a terminally ill relative, for essential animal welfare purposes, to continue existing child access arrangements, to access care services for people with particular needs, to donate blood, to attend a wedding or funeral, to provide care, to return to your principal place of residence or move to a new place of residence, to fulfil legal obligations, to access a permitted essential service, or for law enforcement or emergency purposes.

No more than two people are permitted to visit another household, but only for approved reasons (outlined above) or for compassion purposes.

Intimate partner visits are allowed. People who live alone can identify one other household that they can visit or receive visits from.

If you can work from home, you must.

Early education and care and out-of-school hours care and schools are permitted to remain open for staff, vulnerable children and children whose parents or carers cannot work from home. Schools can also remain open for essential activities that must be undertaken under supervision (e.g. Year 12 exams).

Higher education and training are by remote learning only.

Public transport, including light rail, buses, taxis, hire care and ride share services continue to operate.

Outdoor exercise is permitted for one hour per day with one other person, excluding dependent children (or more if from the same household). But gyms, health clubs, dance classes, and fitness or wellness centres are closed, bootcamps and personal training sessions are off limits, as are community and organised sports, including training sessions. Swimming pools are closed, except for hydrotherapy pools.

Cafes, restaurants and food courts are closed except for takeaway, but school canteens, a café at a hospital, aged care facility, correctional centre or one that feeds homeless people can remain open. Licensed venues and nightclubs are closed except for takeaway.

Essential retail and businesses that can remain open include: supermarket, grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, fruit and vegetable stores, fishmongers; indoor or outdoor markets for groceries or fresh food only; bottleshops; banks and financial institutions; post offices; newsagencies; pharmacies, petrol stations; vehicle and mechanical repairs; hardware, building supplied; agricultural and rural supplies; laundry and dry cleaners; pet stores; locksmiths.

All other general retail is closed.

Funerals (indoor and outdoor) – No more than 10 people, excluding those necessary to conduct the funeral.

Weddings (indoor and outdoor) – No more than five attendees, including the two people being married, celebrant and two witnesses.

Places of worship – No in-person gatherings permitted; live streaming or broadcast of service permitted.

Organised gatherings or events, indoors or outdoors, are not permitted. Any event previously planned during the lockdown period cannot proceed. The only outdoor gatherings allowed are of two people for exercise, or more than two if from the same household.

Outdoor playgrounds and nature reserves are closed to the public as are campgrounds and caravan parks (excluding residents).

Also closed to the public are: libraries; community or youth centres, unless hosting essential public support services; indoor or outdoor play centres, arcades or amusement centres; galleries, museums, national cultural institutions and historic sites; zoos and outdoor attractions; theatres, cinemas, performance venues and conference venues; gambling venues are closed; hairdressing, beauty and personal services (including strip clubs, brothels and escort agencies) are closed.

Remedial massage services can remain open.

For real estate services and auction houses: in-person inspections are not permitted; only online house inspections and online auctions are permitted.

Accommodation venues in the ACT cannot accept any new recreational bookings, but can accept bookings for essential workers or emergency situations.

Tour transport and tourism related facilities and activities are closed.

Except for end-of-life or other compassionate reasons, no visitors are permitted into residents aged care.

Hospital visitors are restricted to end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, a parent to accompany a child, or compassionate reasons.

Consular and diplomatic services may offer only essential and time critical services.