The ACT has lifted travel restrictions with nearly all of Sydney, with nine local government areas no longer treated as COVID-19 hotspots.
As of 3:00pm Friday, only the Cumberland local government area (LGA) remains subject to restrictions barring entry for non-residents of the territory and requiring 14-day isolation for returning residents.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the changes meant 449 of the 561 people currently isolating in Canberra would be allowed to leave quarantine.
"The removal of all but one of Sydney's LGAs is a reflection of the vastly improved situation in Sydney and no new locally acquired cases in NSW this week," he said.
"As soon as we can lift this final restriction … we will."
NSW has not recorded any locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 since Sunday, when six cases were detected.
The nine LGAs no longer considered COVID-19 hotspots by the ACT are:
- Blacktown
- Burwood
- Canada Bay
- Canterbury-Bankstown
- Fairfield
- Inner West
- Liverpool
- Paramatta
- Strathfield
From 3:00pm today, Canberra will reopen its border to people from these areas.
Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said there had been an exposure in Cumberland last week that warranted keeping restrictions in place for that LGA.
"Cumberland remains an LGA that still has an outstanding exposure location," Dr Coleman said.
"I would predict that if nothing else happens in that NSW area, we would be looking at removing that at the end of next week."
ACT Policing will continue compliance activities on people still required to be in quarantine.
People allowed out of quarantine were to be informed with a text from ACT Health.
During the press conference, Mr Barr also announced a new public health direction for the ACT, which will come into effect from 11:59pm, mandating the wearing of masks on domestic flights and in transit at Canberra Airport, in line with national standards.
"A scarf or bandana is not considered an appropriate face mask," Mr Barr said.
