Page 2746 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 6 October 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Madam Speaker, on 27 September 2021 the ACT government provided the community with the ACT’s pathway forward, outlining the steps to transition the ACT out of lockdown and gradually ease restrictions on businesses and the community.
Some minor changes to the public health direction were made from 1 October, while lockdown restrictions continue. From 15 October, it is planned that the ACT will lift lockdown restrictions to align with the ACT reaching 80 per cent COVID-19 vaccination coverage of Canberrans aged 12 and above, and the nation reaching the 70 per cent milestone. This will see licensed venues, cafes and restaurants open for seated service with a maximum of 25 people across the venue or one person per four square metres, whichever is less. Other venues, such as gyms, outdoor amusement and play centres, places of worship, community centres or facilities and gaming and gambling venues are able to open with a capacity of 25 people across a venue, or one person per four square metres indoors.
Hairdressers, beauty and personal services will be able to open, with a maximum of five clients. Swimming pools will be permitted to open, with up to 25 swimmers for swimming lessons only. Accommodation, campgrounds, caravan parks and campsites will be permitted to open, subject to gathering restrictions. There will be a gradual return to the workplace where it suits the employee and their employer. Funerals will be able to have up to 50 attendees. Non-essential retail is still required to operate via click-and-collect or click-and-deliver services.
The announcement of the pathway forward also highlights the plan for schools to return to on-campus learning. Year 12 students returned to face-to-face learning yesterday and year 11 students will return from 18 October. This will be followed by a phased return for other year levels commencing on 25 October, and full return on 1 November.
From 29 October, we expect to further ease restrictions to allow activities to operate with a maximum of 25 people across the venue before density limits apply, which will be one person per four square metres indoors, to a maximum of 100 people per indoor space, and one person per two square metres outdoors to a maximum of 150. Ten people will be able to visit a household at any one time and 30 people will be able to gather outdoors.
Cinemas, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, historic sites and outdoor attractions will be able to open with restrictions. Dance classes, choirs and bands will be able to take place with a maximum of 20 people, which is also the limit for classes in gyms and fitness centres. For ticketed and seated outdoor events, up to 500 people will be permitted. Indoor venues with fixed seating can apply 75 per cent of seated capacity up to 500 people, with indoor unfixed seating areas to apply the rule of one person per four square metres up to a maximum of 150 people per space. All retail will be permitted to open with one person per four square metres. In late November/early December, it is hoped that larger events and gatherings, and higher risk events can take place with some limits or density requirements commensurate with the COVID-19 risk situation. We expect to be in a position to provide more information on this in the coming weeks.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video