Released 17/08/2021 - Joint media release
The current public health measures in place across the ACT will be extended for a further two weeks until Thursday 2 September.
We are asking Canberrans to continue staying at home and avoiding contact with people outside of their household. Canberrans should only be leaving their homes for essential reasons. These reasons have not changed.
Non-essential businesses, including non-essential retail, will continue to stay closed and face masks must be worn at all times by everyone aged 12 years and over when outside of the home.
The ACT Government is considering arrangements that may support local businesses to safely provide online ordering and click and collect services in line with public health advice.
We will be strengthening our compliance at essential businesses which remain open. Those businesses will need to be proactive in taking all reasonable steps to ensure people who enter their business are not browsing.
Construction work will largely remain as a prohibited activity for now. COVID safe arrangements that may allow a safe commencement of construction work are being examined by the Government with support from industry stakeholders.
We will continue to review our public health measures on a daily basis.
If the ACT Government receives advice that lockdown measures can be removed ahead of Thursday 2 September, then we will.
The ACT Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to extend financial support mechanisms for individuals and local businesses who are significantly impacted by the public health measures. The COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Scheme is also available to local businesses.
The ACT Government will also reintroduce supports for tenants and landlords in reaching agreement on commercial leases, including support for parties to negotiate on rent relief. Further information will be made available in the coming days.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases