With spring and summer on the way and some large-scale events being planned for later in the year, health officials have said the need for social distancing measures would be even more critical.

ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman said while the warmer weather may lead to more people wanting to congregate together, people should not be complacent about Canberra's virus situation.

"Now is not the time to be complacent. As the weather warms up and people are out and about more, physical distancing and personal hygiene will be more important than ever," Dr Coleman said.

"It is important to understand that despite the encouraging position of the ACT, we do not exist in a vacuum. The situation can change quickly, both in the ACT and our neighbouring jurisdictions."

Health officials and virus experts have warned against Canberrans gathering in communal areas such as around Lake Burley Griffin, parks, reserves or swimming holes, in order to avoid a situation where potential cases of coronavirus could spread.

ACT residents have also been advised to check the coronavirus situation before heading to popular holiday destinations along the South Coast during the summer months.

"If facilities are busy or there is a large crowd we recommend people consider coming back another time during a quiet period," Dr Coleman said.

"As we continue to monitor the evolving situations in Victoria, NSW and Queensland and the challenges they are facing, it is likely that some level of restrictions will be needed in the ACT."

Professor of global environmental health at the Australian National University Sotiris Vardoulakis said while the risk of transmission was low in open spaces, large gatherings and crowds should be avoided.

"If we have an outdoor space which is crowded and people are, for example, shouting or speaking loudly, then there is a risk of transmission there," he said.

"In these kind of situations it's very difficult to do contact tracing ... obviously if you've been in a crowded environment with many people it's hard to identify the contacts."

However, professor Vardoulakis said higher temperatures, increased humidity and sunshine could reduce the viability of the virus.

He said this could be a result of more people outside in well-ventilated areas during the warmer months.

"We don't know exactly what the driving factor is, the fact we spend more time outdoors in the summer time, and that means we're not in crowded places or is it the fact the temperature and the sunlight deactivates the virus," he said.

"It could be the combined effect."

With the warmer weather coinciding with hayfever season, Public Health Association Australia chief executive Terry Slevin said there may be confusion between hayfever and coronavirus symptoms.

"For those who have the joy of wrestling with hayfever, they might start getting concerned about some of those symptoms being linked to COVID-19 symptoms," Mr Slevin said.

"Most hayfever sufferers are pretty familiar with their symptoms and how to manage it with the usual round of medication, but at the same time if there is any uncertainty about what's causing symptoms, getting tested is still an important step."

University of New South Wales epidemiology professor Mary-Louise McLaws, who also advises the World Health Organisation, said holidaymakers during the summer months added another risk in potentially spreading the virus to other areas.

"The downside is that when summer comes we are more relaxed and not thinking of self-protection except for sun damage," she said.

"We still need to be mindful in the outdoors and decrease the risk of spread and keep social distance.

"It has to be the new social norm until a safe vaccine is found."