The ACT government has published its roadmap for responding to a COVID-19 "outbreak situation" in the ACT, with three phases of restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the virus.
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The current restrictions, which require masks to be worn at some indoor and outdoor public places and checking in using the CBR app, are taken from the first phase of the response plan, despite there being no cases of coronavirus in the ACT.
The first stage of the three-pronged plan would also limit businesses to 25 people or one person per four square metres up to 100 people. Households would be permitted to have up to 10 visitors, including children, per day and outdoor gatherings would be limited to 150 people.
The plan - which is yet to be enacted - was designed to act as a guide only, according to the ACT government.
"The gathering restrictions and caps outlined below may change, depending on the outbreak situation which is being managed," the plan states. It has not laid out the trigger points for moving between phases.
Under phase two, residents who could work from home would be encouraged to and schools and higher education would be online only. Schools would only open for
vulnerable children, children of essential workers and those unable to work from home.
All businesses would be restricted to 20 patrons, excluding staff, they must be seated while drinking at hospitality venues and households would only be permitted to have up to five visitors. Outdoor gatherings would be limited to 30 people.
Several other restriction under phase two would limit interactions between groups, including a restriction of visitors in vulnerable settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities and prisons.
The final stage Pause And Assess would require all residents to stay at home unless for essential purposes such as shopping for groceries and medicines, attending medical appointments or receiving a vaccine, caring for pets and livestock.
Residents who could work from home and educate from home would be required to, and exercise would only be permitted outdoors for one hour per day.
"Other measures and advice around the Pause and Assess period would be provided to the community, and this may include advice on: wearing of masks, travel advice (including use of public transport), testing requirements and arrangements," the plan states.
On Thursday, ACT Policing said residents had responded positively to the mask mandate, despite some initial confusion.
Police said no fines for noncompliance were issued on day one of the grace period ending, as of Thursday afternoon.
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