Canberra’s Recovery Plan – supporting our community and our economy


Released 26/05/2020

The ACT will take another step in our recovery plan with the gradual easing of restrictions across a number of sectors coming into effect for the long-weekend.

The Recovery Plan supports our local economy and our community, without compromising the hard work we have all put in to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory. We have acted on the advice of public health experts and consulted across industry and community sectors on how best to gradually reopen our local economy while sustaining our low case numbers over the next few months.

Hospitality Sector – 20 to 150+ patrons

From 11:59pm on Friday 29 May, the ACT will implement a scalable framework for our local hospitality sector to align maximum occupancy with the size of their venue.  Cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs will be able to cater for up to 20 people in each enclosed space. Venues cannot exceed one person per four square metres including staff. This is for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Size of space Maximum number of people
20m2 5
40m2 10
60m2 15
+80m2 20

If a venue has multiple enclosed spaces, they can have multiple groups of 20 patrons. This framework allows larger venues with clearly separated enclosed spaces to cater for more patrons. Some of the larger venues in the ACT with multiple enclosed and outdoor spaces may be able to accommodate 150 or more patrons.

To support the hospitality industry to rebuild over the coming years, the ACT Government will also provide an industry assistance package. The details will be announced later this week.

Personal Service Industries

Beauty therapy businesses, including nail salons, tanning and waxing services, day spas (including massage) and tattoo businesses can reopen from 11:59pm on Friday 29 May. These businesses must complete a COVID Safe plan, observe strict hand hygiene requirements and ensure physical distancing as much as possible.  Businesses cannot exceed one person per four square metres including staff.  These businesses should also keep a record of their customers to support faster contact tracing.

Fitness Industry

Indoor gyms and fitness centres can begin a gradual reintroduction of their businesses. Small, supervised group sessions and classes indoors can recommence, with a maximum of 20 people to an enclosed space or one person per four square metres. These businesses must complete a COVID Safe plan, observe strict hand hygiene requirements and ensure physical distancing as much as possible.

Size of gym space Maximum number of people
20m2 5
40m2 10
60m2 15
+80m2 20

Community Sport

The maximum capacity of organised social sport will be increased to 20 participants, and indoor sport can commence under the one person per 4 square metres rule. Local sporting organisations are encouraged to ensure low physical contact, and to limit the sharing of equipment. Hand washing before and after sessions is strongly advised, and shared facilities other than toilets will not be open.

Tourism and Venues

Our local tourism industry has been decimated by COVID-19. The recovery of the $2.5 billion industry will take years, and will require ongoing support from both ACT and Commonwealth Governments.

To start this recovery, our galleries, museums, national institutions and outdoor attractions (such as the Zoo) will be able to reopen for groups of up to 20 people in a designated session. Businesses cannot exceed one person per four square metres including staff.  The ACT Government will be working closely with these institutions in the coming weeks as they start to reopen, as we start to welcome domestic visitation back to the ACT in the weeks ahead.

Community and Cultural Activities 

A number of restrictions on community and cultural activities will be lifted from 11:59pm on Friday 29 May. This includes restrictions on choirs, bands and orchestras, caravan parks and campgrounds, places of worship and community centres.

The maximum number of people at a wedding will be increased to 20, and 50 for funerals. Venues and activities cannot exceed one person per four square metres including staff and officials.

Further details, including the ACT's Easing of Restrictions Roadmap, are available from the COVID-19 website.

Next steps

Should these measures not result in any significant increase in cases across the Territory,  the Government will move into the next phase of our recovery plan on 11:59pm 19th June. This phase will see maximum occupancy limits in some sectors, including hospitality, increase to 50 people per enclosed space. Cinemas, indoor amusement centres will also be able to reopen and there will be further easing of restrictions for gyms, health centres and community sport.

Further consideration of measures outlined in stage 3 of the National Cabinet COVIDSafe Plan will start in a month as we monitor the impact of the easing of restrictions undertaken to date.

- Statement ends -

Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases


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