Canberra has begun reopening, but the ACT government's cautious approach means rules will continue to change significantly over the next months.
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On Tuesday, plans to reopen non-essential retail from Friday were announced, as was travel to NSW, including Sydney, from November.
With further checkpoints on October 29 and November 26, here's what you need to know about what you can do, and when.
How long will I need to wear a face mask?
Face masks are currently required in both indoor and outdoor settings. From October 29, you will only be required to wear face masks indoors.
Can I go shopping?
From Friday, all businesses are allowed to open to the public, meaning you can shop in-store at places that have only been offering contactless services. Density limits of one person per four square metres remain in place, meaning businesses will be monitoring capacity.
From November 26, all retail can operate with one person per two square metres.
When can I have a night out?
Currently you can dine in at licensed venues, cafes and restaurants so long as you're seated. You might not be able to bring all your friends though, as restrictions mean up to 25 patrons are allowed indoors, 50 outdoors.
From October 29, the cap for hospitality patrons is increased to 300, remaining at one per four square metres indoors, and easing to one per two square metres outdoors.
From November 26, more indoor dining will be allowed, as the density limit of one per two square metres will be applied indoors. Eating and drinking while standing will be permitted from this date, as will dancing.
When can I get back to training?
Gyms and outdoor organised training returned on Monday with a cap of 25 participants or one person per four square metres.
But you might not be able to get back into training until October 29, when that cap lifts to 300, or one person per four square metres indoors, one per two square metres outdoors.
Most gym classes will likely return from November 26, when the limit on numbers will be lifted for classes.
What about sport?
Swimming pools are open now for lessons only, with a cap of 25.
You'll have the green light to get back in the pool, or back to your sport, from October 29 when the cap lifts to 500 people, or one per four square metres indoors, one per two outdoors.
Those density limits ease further at the end of November to allow up to 1000 people, and one per two square metres indoors.
When will I be actually be able to book in for a haircut?
Hairdressers, beauty and personal services are open right now but can only have up to five clients at any one time. From October 25, they can have up to 25 patrons before a density limit of one per four square metres applies. That density limit reduced to two per one square metre from November 26.
When can my kids get back to school?
The staggered return to school hasn't changed since the government announced it alongside its pathway to reopen in September. Years eleven and twelve returned to on-campus learning on Monday, with early childhood, preschool to year two, and years six, nine and ten to follow on October 25.
Remaining year groups will return on November 1, as will after-school groups.
Education reporter Sarah Lansdown has more on how schools will manage COVID-19 risks as they return.
Can I go to NSW?
From November you can travel to all parts of NSW, including Sydney, without having to quarantine on return to the ACT.
If you're travelling before November 1, you are allowed to travel into a list of approved border regions for any reason, without needing to quarantine on return.
On Friday, that region was expanded to include certain postcodes on the south coast. Currently, if you travel outside of those approved border regions you will need to apply for an exemption and quarantine on return.
What about Victoria?
ACT still considers Victoria a COVID affected area. If you travel there you will need to apply for an exemption and quarantine on return.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said the ACT was watching Victoria's case numbers very closely.
"They're in a completely different position to Sydney and NSW," Dr Coleman said, "NSW has peaked and is definitely still coming down in their COVID cases, their vaccination coverage is ahead of Victoria's."
The COVID affected area declaration likely wouldn't be removed before November 1, she said.
I'm overseas and want to come home to Canberra, when can I do that?
The ACT will align its requirements for international returnees with NSW from November.
People arriving who are fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine, but must get tested after arrival, while people who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days.
When can I enjoy events and culture?
Cinemas, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, historic sites and outdoor attractions open from October 29 with restrictions. Events and performance venues will also open with restrictions from that date, but from November 26 ticketed events can have up to 1000 people, or one per two square metres.
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