ACT records 20 new Covid-19 cases as some freedoms for cross border travel permitted

The ACT has recorded 20 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday as new freedoms for cross border travellers come into effect.

The ACT has recorded 20 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday as free cross border travel to approved NSW areas comes into effect.

Of the 20 cases, 14 are linked to known cases or outbreaks. There has been eight deaths.

There were 15 people in hospital, including 10 in intensive care.

The new infections bring the number of active cases to 495.

More than 2373 negative test results were received in the past 24 hours.

X new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the ACT on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Free travel to and from additional approved border postcodes in NSW will be permitted from midday without the need to quarantine or complete an exemption form to return.

“ACT residents must abide by NSW Health Directions when in NSW, including the need to be fully vaccinated before you travel and check in where required,” ACT Health said.

Travel will be permitted to areas like Bargo, next to Wollongong, and postcodes on the perimeter of the NSW-Victoria border.

The full list of approved postcodes is listed on the ACT Health website.

Free travel between some approved parts of NSW and the ACT will be allowed from midday on Saturday. Picture: Supplied/ACT Health

On Friday, there were 35 new cases recorded as the territory exited its nine week lockdown.

More than 76 per cent of its eligible population are fully vaccinated and almost 99 per cent of the population have had at least one dose.

Despite its high compliance with vaccination, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the territory was taking a more cautious approach to “freedom day”, compared to NSW.