Anyone in the ACT who has returned from parts of Queensland which have been sent into a snap lockdown, will be forced to follow stay-at-home orders.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ACT Health will impose the rules retrospectively, which means anyone who has been in 11 council areas on or after July 21 will be subjected to the orders from 4pm Saturday.
The affected local government areas are: City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Region, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
The orders will stay in place until at least 11.59pm August 3.
"The reason for implementing this stay-at-home requirement retrospectively is due to the high transmissibility of the delta strain, the potential for several undetected chains of transmission in south east Queensland and an anticipated large number of exposure locations," ACT Health said.
Non-ACT residents will be banned from entering the territory from the affected areas without an approved exemption.
"Exemptions will only be granted for exceptional circumstances, and even if an exemption is approved, you will still be required to follow the stay-at-home requirements while you are in the ACT," ACT Health said.
Meanwhile, Canberrans are strongly urged not to travel to south east Queensland as the state is sent into a snap lockdown.
READ MORE COVID-19 NEWS:
Queensland reported six new cases on Saturday, including four family members of a student who tested positive on Friday, plus a medical student who tutors the teen and a staff member of lronside State School, which the family's youngest child attends.
"The COVID-19 situation in Queensland is fast evolving and we are continuing to monitor it closely," ACT Health said.
"It is possible these restrictions on arrivals from Queensland may need to be tightened further to protect the ACT community, and people should be prepared for this to happen at short notice."
Residents who have spent time in the any of the listed regions since July 21 must complete an online declaration form, travel directly to their residence and can only leave for essential reasons.
When residents do leave their home, anyone aged above 12 must wear a face mask.
The updated declaration form will be available after 7pm Saturday.
People under stay-at-home orders can leave for the following reasons:
- to undertake essential work or study if you cannot work or study from home or remotely
- for students to attend usual school and out of school hours care arrangements if a mask is worn (children aged 12 and under are not required to wear a mask)
- to attend usual childcare arrangements, where parents or guardians need to undertake essential work or study
- to shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies
- to attend to medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements, and looking after the vulnerable
- to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are not isolation or quarantine and have a scheduled appointment
- to exercise outdoors, limited to one hour per day
- for essential animal welfare purposes (e.g. to feed pets or livestock that live elsewhere)
- leaving due to an emergency.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
Kathryn Lewis
I am a breaking and general news reporter. Contact me with tips or story ideas at kathryn.lewis@canberratimes.com.au
I am a breaking and general news reporter. Contact me with tips or story ideas at kathryn.lewis@canberratimes.com.au
