Confusion over Canberra’s reopening plan stirs fiery debate

A top politician has torn into a reporter who challenged his coronavirus plan.

Canberra’s chief minister has launched an extraordinary spray after being challenged over his coronavirus response.

Andrew Barr erupted after being grilled about extending the ACT lockdown for another four weeks.

Sky News journalist Tom Connell copped the brunt of his blast after probing the path out of lockdown.

Connell questioned why Canberra residents would have to wait for the rest of the country to catch up on vaccinations before being freed from restrictions.

“You said you wanted to wait till the nation gets to 70 per cent before the gradual easing of restrictions,” he said.

Mr Barr snapped back with an icy response.

“This is the Sky News approach to journalism, is it?” the ACT leader said.

“The national plan agreed by national cabinet is that those milestones are related to the Australian average.

“Not, as Mr Connell misrepresented yesterday, to suggest that every state had to go beyond the Australian average.”

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he was “misrepresented” in media reports on Canberra’s reopening plan. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

Mr Barr clarified state vaccination rates would not be considered in Canberra’s reopening plan.

Instead, the end to restrictions will hinge on the ACT and national jab rates.

Connell was quick to point out the ACT was set to reach its 70 per cent double-dose target on October 8 - three weeks earlier than the rest of the country.

“Does that mean you will continue to have Canberra in lockdown for an extra three weeks after that 70 per cent or even longer if that's required?” he said.

But the chief minister refused to answer any more of the journalist’s questions.

The ACT currently boasts the highest vaccination coverage rate in the country with just over 52 per cent of its population fully vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage.

Canberra’s lockdown has been extended by another four weeks and is now set to end on October 15.

On Tuesday, Mr Barr said the ACT’s reopening would occur in line with the vaccine threshold targets of the national plan.

“As the nation reaches the vaccination thresholds outlined in the national plan, we will be in a position to support the gradual easing of restrictions in the ACT,” he said.

“Based on the current vaccination trajectories, the nation is anticipated to reach 70 and 80 per cent effective vaccination milestones in mid October and early to mid November.”

Canberra’s restrictions will be reviewed in two weeks’ time when some rules may be eased.

The ACT recorded 13 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing its outbreak to 541 infections.

Of the new cases, five were in isolation for their entire infectious period, while eight were contagious in the community.

Mr Barr confirmed seven Canberrans were now in hospital with Covid-19, including one person in intensive care receiving ventilation.