Released 31/07/2020
Due to steadily rising cases in NSW, Canberrans are now being urged to avoid all unnecessary travel to Greater Sydney.
Avoiding areas where there have been confirmed cases is the simplest way that Canberrans can help lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in the ACT.
The heartbreaking situation in Victoria shows just how contagious this virus is.
NSW Health has, so far, done a good job in containing localised cases.
However, with new confirmed cases being notified daily, there is a risk that Canberrans could bring the virus back to the ACT if they visit areas where there have been confirmed cases.
As a result of the situation around us, the ACT is not in a position to signal that we will be further easing restrictions from next Friday.
We are striking a balance between containing the spread of the virus and keeping our economy open. While our situation in the Territory remains positive, we have to be mindful of the environment around us.
We will continue to carefully monitor what is happening across the border. The Chief Health Officer has a further checkpoint on Thursday next week and we will continue to provide updates on changes throughout the coming week.
Any further easing of restrictions will be relatively minor. It is very unlikely that we will moving to larger groups gathering in the near future, as has previously been envisioned as part of future easing of restrictions in the ACT.
The basics will remain the same, and they will likely stay with us until the public health risk from the virus is significantly reduced, either with a vaccine or improved treatments.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases