Canberra lockdown extended by four weeks as ACT announces 22 new cases

The ACT’s lockdown has been extended for multiple weeks as authorities continue to struggle with the spread of Delta.

Canberra’s lockdown has been extended by another four weeks as the capital’s outbreak surges to 528 cases.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ongoing increase in Covid-19 cases meant the public health risk was too high to end the lockdown at its originally planned date this Friday.

With the four week extension, Canberra’s lockdown is now set to end on October 15.

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.”

The ACT recorded 22 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the territory’s total outbreak to 528.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ongoing increase in Covid-19 cases meant the public health risk was too high to end the lockdown at its originally planned date this Friday. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

But Mr Barr said Canberrans would still enjoy some increased freedoms over the coming weeks.

“There will be some minor amendments to the public health directions that will come into effect this weekend,” Mr Barr said.

“These changes will allow for increased Covid-safe small business activity in areas such as contactless click and collect and online delivery, limited private appointment real estate inspections and additional outdoor activity including social golf and tennis.”

The Chief Minister said a midpoint review of Canberra’s public health restrictions would occur in two weeks time, with the potential for further freedoms announced then.

Mr Barr said some ‘minor amendments’ would be made to the ACT’s public health restrictions granting Canberrans some more freedoms over the next four weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage.

Canberra’s Year 12 students are expected to return to on campus learning from the start of term four on October 5.

All other school students are to continue online learning until after the lockdown’s new end date on October 15.

Mr Barr said additional funding and support would be provided to individuals and businesses affected by the protracted lockdown through the 2022 ACT budget, which is set to be delivered on October 6.

“The ACT government is currently finalising agreements with the Commonwealth Treasurer to extend the jointly funded financial support programs for local businesses, and the Covid disaster payments.

“We anticipate being able to make joint announcements with the Commonwealth treasurer shortly.”

Of the 22 new Covid-19 cases announced on Tuesday, two were in isolation for their entire infectious period while at least 13 were contagious out in the community.

Fourteen of the transmissions have been linked to existing cases and eight remain under investigation.

Mr Barr confirmed 10 Canberrans were now in hospital with Covid-19, including two people in intensive care.