Just stay home, politicians told by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says he does not think the August federal parliamentary sitting weeks should go ahead.

The House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says he does not think the August federal parliamentary sitting weeks should go ahead as he called on politicians from Greater Sydney to stay at home because of the NSW Delta outbreak.

Parliament House will go into public lockdown next week, with politicians told to bring only essential staff in a bid to keep the Canberra community safe.

As the ACT marked another day of no community transmission, Mr Barr called on politicians from the outbreak’s Sydney epicentre to stay at home.

“It is not ideal that the parliament will sit at this time,” he said. “Given it will sit, I support strong restrictions being placed on federal members of parliament, senators and their staff. Politicians from the areas of greatest concern, particularly Greater Sydney, should participate remotely.”

The numbers of members and senators attending sittings in person will be “substantially reduced”, staff restricted to “essential” workers only and the house and Senate galleries closed to the public.

Physical distancing will be required, the fitness centre closed and the check-in CBR app extended to all food and beverage venues at Parliament House, which will be takeaway only.

The new arrangements will come into effect on August 2 and remain until September 3.

Speaker Tony Smith and Senate president Scott Ryan said the changes would ensure the commonwealth parliament could “continue its essential work while reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission”.

“Parliamentarians have been requested to only bring essential staff to Canberra and Parliament House.

“We expect this will be limited to ministerial, shadow ministerial, party spokesperson and whips’ staff,” the presiding officers said in a statement.

“All external departments and agencies should minimise attendance of public servants unless on essential business.”

Outside of Parliament House, Canberrans have been enjoying limited restrictions, with restaurants still open and mask-wearing optional.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith on Monday welcomed the decision to minimise the number of staff at the building.

“I think it shows they are taking the situation very, very seriously, that they’re taking the welfare of not just ACT residents but the whole country very seriously,” she said.

“A seeding event in Parliament House could spread all around the country.”

Mr Barr said any potential lockdown prompted by future cases in the ACT could have an impact on the economy.