Acting ACT health minister Chris Steel has encouraged Canberrans to rethink their Christmas plans as COVID-19 cases continue to climb this December.
Mr Steel said the holiday period was a "good time" to remind ACT residents "we are still in a pandemic".
"It's a reminder to all Canberrans to practice COVID-smart behaviour over this period," he said.
"If you are hosting a party we've got some good weather forecast over the coming days so it's an opportunity to host events outdoors to minimise the risk of transmission.
"If it isn't possible to celebrate outdoors, we are advising Canberrans to think about having smaller numbers indoors and [also] think about ventilation."
ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman described the ACT's COVID-19 case surges as a "grumbling peak" but said she was confident the territory wouldn't have the same peak seen in previous waves.
However, Dr Coleman was still expecting some increased transmission over the holidays.
"If you have symptoms of COVID, then please don't go and participate in Christmas activities," she said.
"I know that this may be disappointing for some of you and really difficult, but this is how we protect the most vulnerable in the community."
Dr Coleman also encouraged Canberrans to celebrate Christmas outdoors but had advice for those that might not be able to do so.
"If you're going to be indoors with people that you don't really know and it's hard to distance yourself, then we encourage people to wear a mask."
Testing, testing
Testing sites across the ACT have slowly wound up operations, and the government is closing its COVID-19 testing service in Holt.
The centre will shut permanently on Friday, but free PCR testing for vulnerable groups will continue to be available at the Garran testing centre and some other clinics.
"This is about stepping down to what we think our reasonable options for testing are and yes, Holt will be closing as part of that process," Dr Coleman said.
Mr Steel said those that didn't fall into that vulnerable group for testing would require a referral to a pathology lab for a PCR.
"It may be still the case that PCR testing is available in those private pathology labs on a referral from a doctor," he said.
Mr Steel encouraged most people to use rapid antigen tests ahead of a review of testing arrangements in the new year.
The Weston Creek COVID-19 clinic will remain open every day including public holidays this summer.
Mr Steel said the government will be considering the future of the COVID-19 Garran surge centre in February, based on where the territory is at with infections.
"We will consider whether PCR testing is required in that location, provided for free," he said.
