Density limits will be scrapped and dancing will be allowed in time for the weekend as the ACT brings forward an easing of restrictions in line with other states.
Requirement for patrons to be seated while eating and drinking in hospitality and licensed venues will be removed and dancing will be permitted from 6pm on Friday, following a surprise change from NSW and Victoria.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the ACT had made the decision after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced an easing of restrictions on Thursday, a week earlier than had been decided at a meeting between chief health officers earlier in the week.
"We had intended to make this announcement early next week, we've bought it forward in line with the chief health officers across most of the east coast," he said.
Mr Barr said they would not ease mask rules alongside this week's changes because the health advice was for these things to be staggered.
Masks rules will be wound back from next week, although masks will still be required at some indoor venues.
The changes have been forecast despite Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith claiming recently masks would likely be in place until at least the end of winter.
"What I've consistently said every time I've stood up is things change really quickly and where there can be an easing of restrictions we will do so," she said.
ACT Health was expecting its new check-in system to be online next week, after ditching the requirement at all but high-risk venues like nightclubs and schools from last Friday.
Updates to the app will allow for automatic notifications to users if they'd checked in to a venue around the same time as someone who'd been identified as COVID positive.
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Mr Barr said while winter flus alongside the potential for another variant could change the situation, he was optimistic about the months ahead.
"We have an expectation of a further wave combining with the flu season in winter," he said.
"That still remains a period of concern."
Mr Barr said should there be a spike in numbers in winter, COVID restrictions would be reintroduced.
"We are cautiously optimistic about the autumn period.
"The past few years have been a tumultuous time in the territory and we acknowledge that the impacts of COVID-19 have been felt differently across the city.
"Our case numbers have steadied and we are cautiously optimistic about the autumn period.
"While we recognise the situation could change if a new variant of concern emerges or there is a surge in cases, this step is designed to minimise the disruption of COVID-19 on our local businesses when it is safe to do so."
Here are the changes:
From 6pm Friday
- All density limits that currently apply to restricted businesses and activities will be removed, and there will no longer be a requirement for businesses to display signage for capacity limits.
- The requirement for patrons to be seated while eating and drinking in hospitality and licensed venues will be removed, and dancing will be permitted.
- Ticketing and preregistration requirements for events will be removed.
- Employees can return to the workplace where it suits them and their employer.
On Monday, February 21:
- Elective surgery will resume at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, with a gradual return to full capacity in following days. (Non-essential elective surgery ceased at Calvary Public Hospital [but not at Canberra Hospital] on January 7 due to the impact of the Omicron wave.)
From 11.59pm Monday, February 21:
- The mandatory quarantine period for unvaccinated international travellers will be reduced to seven days. Exemptions for unvaccinated travellers to enter the ACT to complete their quarantine period will continue to be required.
- The requirement for international travellers to complete an online declaration form will be removed.
- Testing requirements and restrictions on entering high-risk settings for international travellers will remain.
From 11.59pm Friday, February 25:
- There will be changes to the current requirements to wear a face mask in indoor spaces, with further details to be announced next week.
- Exemption requirements for all events will also be removed. However, events of more than 5000 people will be asked to submit their COVID Safety Plans to ACT Health for review.
The government said there would be no changes to the current Check In CBR rules (which were wound back earlier this month), and all businesses are still required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
Relaxed restrictions came into place on Friday in NSW and Victoria, with both states dropping density limits in hospitality venues.
NSW brought forward its planned easing of restrictions by one week. Dancing is now allowed in venues, density limits have been scrapped and the government will drop its work-from-home recommendation.
NSW will also drop its mandatory indoor mask requirements next week. From February 25, masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, airports, hospitals, aged care, corrections facilities and indoor music festival with more than 1000 people.
Victoria will also relax restrictions from 6pm Friday, with dance floors allowed again and density limits scrapped. Masks indoors will be mandated in the state for at least another week.
ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman did not attend the press conference to explain the changes. Dr Coleman has not appeared at a press conference since January 5.
