Three schools in the Canberra region were forced to close because of COVID-19 cases on the same day Canberrans were able to enjoy more freedoms.
ACT Health was in direct contact with people affected by a COVID-19 exposure at Ainslie School on Monday and Tuesday.
An ACT Health spokesman said some students would need to quarantine because of the risk of exposure, but those who were not contacts would be able to attend school on Monday after the campus was deep cleaned.
"The Education Directorate, supported by ACT Health, will continue to communicate to the families impacted," the spokesman said.
"Communications will include clear advice on testing and quarantine requirements, in addition to providing remote learning for students during their quarantine period."
Meanwhile, just over the border Queanbeyan West and Queanbeyan South Public Schools were also shut due to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Staff and students were told to isolate until they were given further advice and to only get tested if they showed symptoms of COVID-19.
"While we recognise this will be disruptive and inconvenient for families, it is important that we follow NSW Health advice and take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of further transmission to support our community," the letter to parents and carers said.
Restrictions were eased in the ACT from Friday, allowing Canberrans to be outside without wearing a mask and host up to 10 visitors in their homes, not including children under 12.
Toby and Naomi Phipps decided to have a picnic with their daughter, Amelie, 8, to celebrate the last day of remote learning before she returns to class at Canberra Grammar School on Monday.
They set up the picnic near Lake Burley Griffin for lunch and Amelie was able to do her afternoon physical education class in the sunshine.
Mr Phipps said it was concerning to hear about COVID exposures at Canberra schools while a vaccine for under-12s wasn't available.
"We're a little bit worried but not enough to keep them away from school. It's been nine weeks of home learning and they're desperate to see their friends and desperate to see real, in-person teaching again," he said.
The family came to Canberra from San Francisco in March 2020 for a visit but decided to stay in the capital for the long term.
"We thought we'd come for a few weeks until the whole thing blows over and it didn't, so we've been here ever since. It's a good choice in the end," Mr Phipps said.
Genevieve Ko took her daughter Misha, 2, to the Black Mountain Peninsular playground on Friday before the toddler returns to childcare on Monday.
She said working from home while taking care of a two-year-old and a preschooler was a real challenge and welcomed getting back to a normal routine.
"I'm feeling a little bit nervous about it, sending them back into the big wide world, but at the same time, it does feel nice," she said.
She said her family wouldn't be rushing to return to busy shopping centres or restaurants and they would hold off travelling interstate for a few more months.
On Friday the ACT reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday. Nine people were hospitalised with the virus, six of whom were in intensive care, with five requiring ventilation.
The new cases brought the active total to 234, while the number of cases in this outbreak stands at 1635.
Meantime, the percentage of the eligible ACT population now fully vaccinated has reached 92.3 per cent.
There were 1680 negative tests received on Thursday.
A pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be open at the High Place Park in Queanbeyan on Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Anyone 12 or older who has not had a vaccination can attend for a Pfizer vaccine and a free sausage sizzle.
