The ACT government has issued an update to high-risk geographical locations in Victoria and NSW, as Canberrans embrace new freedoms introduced in the territory on Friday.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people who travel to high-risk locations in these states will need to apply for an exemption upon return to Canberra and quarantine.
Fully vaccinated people will need to fill out a declaration form, but will not be required to quarantine.
Only those who had their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before travelling will be considered fully vaccinated.
Victoria
Added to the list:
- Indigo
- Campaspe
Still considered high-risk since the last update:
- Baw Baw
- Bayside
- Brimbank
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Darebin
- Frankston
- Glen Eira
- Greater Bendigo
- Greater Dandenong
- Greater Shepparton
- Hobsons Bay
- Hume
- Kingston
- Knox
- Latrobe
- Macedon
- Maribyrnong
- Melbourne
- Melton
- Moorabool
- Moreland
- Monash
- Moonee Valley
- Port Phillip
- Stonnington
- Whittlesea
- Wodonga
- Wyndham
- Yarra
Removed from high-risk locations:
- Banyule
- Benalla
- Boroondara
- Greater Geelong
- Manningham
- Maroondah
- Mildura
- Mitchell Shire
- Mornington Peninsula
- Nillumbik
- Swan Hill
- Wangaratta
- Whitehorse
- Yarra Ranges
NSW
Added to the list:
- Central Darling
- Gwydir
- Inverell
- Moree Plains
Still considered high-risk since last update:
- Albury
Removed from the list:
- Cessnock
- Greater Hume
- Kempsey
- Lake Macquarie
- Maitland
- Newcastle
- Port Stephens
- Wentworth
15 new cases as public health emergency extended
The ACT has reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday, as the public health emergency is extended until 2022.
There is no one in an ACT hospital with an active case of the virus.
The new cases bring the active total to 154, while the number of cases associated with this outbreak now stands at 1793.
Meantime, the percentage of the eligible population who are now fully vaccinated has reached 96 per cent.
The ACT Public Health Emergency Declaration has been extended until February 12 2022.
Canberra moves to base-line restrictions
Canberrans are embracing new freedoms introduced on Friday, which will allow unlimited household and outdoor gatherings as well as more people in hospital venues.
Requirements for face masks have also been relaxed, leaving them mandatory in only select high-risk settings.
Business owners said they are excited to be taking the next steps into a new normal, but will keep the masks on in a measured step forward.
"Whilst it is exciting, and it means that we seem to be transitioning back to a new normal, I think it's really easy to forget that there are still people who are at risk," Subsdance studio director Charlie Wan said.
"We are moving forward, really taking into consideration government guidelines, whilst also not forgetting ... our key motivation with everything that we do, which is it's about putting the community first."
She said she would continue to encourage her staff to wear masks when they were coming into contact with lots of people.
