Covid-19: Now is not the time to go to hardware stores, says ACT’s Andrew Barr

The ACT has recorded 17 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of active cases in Canberra to 45.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Picture: AAP

The ACT has recorded 17 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of active cases in Canberra to 45, a day after the ­nation’s capital extended its one-week lockdown by two weeks.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Tuesday called on Canberrans to take restrictions seriously, with eight new cases unlinked and under investi­gation. “Right now, we are in the middle of the highest number of cases that I hope we experience,” he said. “The point of the lockdown and the success of the lockdown is very much contingent on what happens over the next few days – this is a really critical time.”

Mr Barr called on Canberrans to do the right thing after reports people were loitering in stores.

“Regrettably, we need to strengthen our compliance in relation to essential businesses that remain open, so if I can repeat again, browsing at a hardware store is not an essential activity,” he said. “It doesn’t help. All it does is increase the likelihood of the virus transmitting between people. If you need to go to the hardware store, get in and get out quickly.

“Most people shouldn’t need to go to the hardware store today, tomorrow or for the rest of the week. Please stay at home.”

Territory chief health officer Kerryn Coleman said more than 7500 people were in quarantine at home and she expected the number of exposure sites to increase from 80 to 100 by Wednesday.

“Please note it is still early in the outbreak and we may still see cases, but it’s excellent news that we have none to date,” Dr Coleman said.

None of the ACT’s 45 cases is hospitalised and a record 7380 tests were conducted on Monday.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the health system was under pressure as she issued a call to action for anyone with nursing training to help.

Mr Barr confirmed he had been working with the commonwealth to provide extra financial support for ACT businesses and workers that had lost hours because of restrictions.