Minister Barr: Next stage of Canberra’s Recovery Plan – Choose local, to support our locals
- Written by ACT Government
Released 12/06/2020
Thanks to the hard work of the Canberra community and local businesses, the ACT Government will further ease restrictions next Friday.
As a result of this decision, more community and business activities will be able to commence from lunch time (12 noon) on Friday 19 June – with a new maximum occupancy limit per enclosed space of 100 persons.
Canberrans should be proud of how our city has responded to the threat of COVID-19. The dedication the community has shown in adhering to physical distancing requirements has put the Territory in a great position to allow us to move about and enjoy more of what the nation’s capital has to offer.
The health advice from the ACT’s Chief Health Officer, and from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) is that the success of the nation in slowing the spread of the virus allows jurisdictions to ease restrictions ahead of schedule. With the one person per four square metre rule in place, more local businesses can consider reopening.
From 11:59am on 19 June, cafes, restaurants, bars and other licenced venues can seat up to 100 people per enclosed space, and will be able to serve alcohol without a meal to seated patrons. Gyms, health clubs and fitness centres will have greater flexibility to reopen free weight rooms and conduct circuit training under supervision and regular cleaning.
Local theatres, cinemas and concert venues will also be able to reopen and the maximum occupancy at places of worship will increase to 100 people for facilities that can manage the one person per four square metre rule.
Further details will be available from the ACT’s COVID-19 website.
Many Canberrans are excited about the prospect of returning to community sporting activities. As part of this next stage of the easing of restrictions, contact sports can start full training from the 19 June to start their transition back to competitions from the 10 July.
As our city moves through our recovery plan and more local businesses reopen, we can all help by choosing local – to support our locals. As part of Canberra’s Recovery plan, the ACT Government will be launching a new campaign to encourage Canberrans to support local businesses over the coming months.
As has been the case over the past few weeks, the basics will remain the same. We are asking businesses to complete a COVID safe plan and put in place measures to ensure one person per four square metres in their businesses.
Maintaining good hand hygiene, keeping 1.5 metres apart and staying at home if unwell should now be part of our lives, and we are asking Canberrans to continue these principles as we move through the coming weeks.
The Government will be announcing further elements of our Recovery plan next week to support local businesses and households as our city gradually and safely reopens.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
