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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Sally Whyte

Parliament House to re-open to the public

Parliament House will re-open on July 4. Picture: Jamila Toderas

Parliament House will re-open to the public on July 4, with school groups to follow in the coming weeks.

The building was closed to the public on March 25 due to coronavirus restrictions, with sittings of the House of Representatives and the Senate taking place with reduced number of members.

Under plans announced by Speaker Tony Smith and President Scott Ryan on Thursday, visitors will be allowed back, but only for pre-booked guided tours, which are free. They will be limited to 20 people at a time and 100 visitors total in public spaces at a time.

Further advice on when the public galleries will open for people to watch proceedings in the House of Representatives and Senate will be provided before the parliament returns in August.

School visits will start on July 20, meaning schools will once again be able to visit the national capital and be eligible for the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate.

Parliament House is the last of the national institutions to re-open in Canberra, and will introduce a range of measures to keep people safe when they visit the building.

People booking tours will have to give their contact details in case contact tracing i necessary, social distancing will be enforced and extra cleaning will be in place.

"We are continuing to trial access to the building for certain passholders including former parliamentarians, volunteers and sponsored pass holders," the statement said.

"There should be no gathering or loitering in the public or private areas of the building including in the café or dining spaces and access remains for specific meetings with parliamentarians that have been arranged prior to coming to the building."

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