As many as 500 people will be allowed to gather in one area and pub-goers will once again be allowed to drink while standing up outdoors, in line with eased coronavirus restrictions.
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From 9am on November 13, gatherings in a single location can increase their maximum capacity from 200 to 500 people, provided that COVID-safe plans are in place.
People in outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants will also be allowed to stand up while eating and drinking, rather than having to be seated, due to a lower risk of the spread of coronavirus.
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Those in indoor areas of pubs will still need to sit down to have a drink.
All other current restrictions will remain in place.
Gatherings of more than 500 people will still require an exemption.
ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said Canberra's improving position with dealing with the pandemic had allowed the restrictions to be eased.
"The change to allow eating and drinking while standing in outdoor spaces reflects the considerable evidence that outdoor spaces present a lower risk of transmission of COVID-19 compared to indoor spaces," Dr Coleman said.
"The decision to ease restrictions further in the ACT is guided by our public health principals.
"We are confident in or position and that we can continue our journey of opening the ACT back up in a COVID-safe way."
Restrictions could be even further eased by the end of the month with the next checkpoint coming on November 27.
Dr Coleman said the eased restrictions would be a major benefit for businesses and event organisers leading into the warmer months.
"We know businesses and the community more broadly want to know more about restrictions over summer and the festive season," she said.
"We are continuing to monitor and assess the COVID-19 situation and will release further detail on any further restriction changes in the coming week to enable people to forward plan."
More to come
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
