With every jab, it seems Canberra is inching closer to greater freedoms coming out of lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 90 per cent of (eligible) Canberrans are now fully vaccinated and restrictions eased again today. No more masks outside. Time to catch a movie. Almost time to hit the road to Sydney.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has indicated authorities could expedite a return to baseline public health measures as the capital hit the 90 per cent fully vaccinated threshold in the eligible over-12 population.
It could mean masks would be limited to high risk indoor settings, there would be no limit on household visitors or outdoor gatherings, dancing would be allowed in venues and people would also be allowed to stand while drinking.
Three schools attended by Canberra students will be closed on Friday after COVID-19 exposures, with remaining ACT year groups to head back to the classroom on Monday.
The ACT has reported eight new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday and 1212 negative tests. There are 10 people hospitalised with the virus, seven of whom are in intensive care, with five requiring ventilation.
The new cases bring the active total to 258, while the number of cases associated with this outbreak now stands at 1625.
READ MORE:
The live blog appears below this article, and sometimes takes a moment to appear.
READ MORE COVID-19 NEWS:
- Everything you need to know about kids wearing masks at school
- School rejected parents' offer to donate air purifier
- Virus worries linger as excited students return to classrooms
- Quarantine questions remain as cooped-up Canberrans keen to take off
- Targeted vaccinations planned as parts of Canberra lag
- With international travel set to resume, the ACT is looking to connect Canberrans to more countries
- Vaxxed-up ACT economy fares well, but falls behind one rival state
- Google data shows how Canberra's behaviour changed during lockdown
- Third vaccine shot on offer, but only for those eligible
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT and the lockdown is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.
Lanie Tindale
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
