Dr Kerryn Coleman says the ACT will move to Step 3.2 on Friday (9 October). Photo: Dominic Giannini.
COVID-19 restrictions will ease further for businesses and outdoor events from tomorrow (9 October), with useable outdoor space restrictions moving to one person per two square metres, as opposed to one person per four square metres, doubling capacity.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman made the announcement a week after signalling that the ACT would move to Stage 3.2 of eased restrictions, which will also come into effect tomorrow.
Gatherings will be increased to a maximum of 200 people within the useable space limits and medium-sized hospitality venues between 101 and 200 square metres can have 50 people throughout the venue from 9:00 am tomorrow.
Large indoor seated venues like the Canberra Theatre and Llewellyn Hall can have ticketed events of no more than 50 per cent capacity up to 1,000 people. The 50 per cent seated capacity will remain in place for cinemas and movie theatres.
“Over the past week, we have taken our time to thoroughly assess the public health risks. We are now happy for all venues to have one person per two square metres in outdoor spaces, up to a maximum gathering size of 200 people,” Dr Coleman said.
“There is considerable evidence that outdoor spaces present a lower risk of transmission of COVID-19 compared to indoor spaces. On that basis, given our COVID-19 situation remains stable, I am confident we can increase the density of people outdoors, and do so in a safe manner with appropriate COVID Safety Plans in place.
“To support this move, I am also strongly encouraging businesses, venues and facilities that are required to collect information for contact tracing, to use an electronic method.”
A full list of the changes to the Public Health Directions being made can be found on the ACT Health COVID-19 website.
Loading ...
