The Territory’s COVID-19 lockdown has been extended for a further four weeks until 15 October, based on the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
Chief Minister, Andrew Barr said the extension was due to continued community transmission of the Delta variant, unlinked cases and people being in the community while infectious.
Mr Barr said the Public Health Directions would be reviewed within two weeks and easing restrictions would be dependent on vaccination rates; levels of community transmission; ACT Health’s test, trace, isolate and quarantine responses; compliance with Health Directions; and the health system’s capacity.
“Our priority over the next four weeks will be to vaccinate as many people as possible,” Mr Barr said.
“At least 48,769 Canberrans will receive their first vaccination dose at an ACT Government clinic and 35,475 will become fully vaccinated,” he said.
“Many more people will get vaccinated through the primary health network over this time period.”
Mr Barr said the Territory would be in a position to support the gradual easing of restrictions locally as the country progressed towards the vaccination thresholds outlined in the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 response.
The Chief Minister said based on current trajectories, the nation was expected to reach the 70 per cent and 80 per cent effective vaccination milestones in mid-to-late October and early-to-mid November.
“This is a period of uncertainty and the next few weeks will be challenging,” he said.
“What we are certain of is that a highly vaccinated Canberra is a safer Canberra,” Mr Barr said.
