Face masks mandatory in the ACT when out in the community

With the situation in NSW continuing to escalate, the ACT Government will has made the use of face masks mandatory in the ACT when out in the community.

There are no active cases in the ACT.

This new requirement means when people are in indoor public places or using public transport, they must wear a face mask.

For example, masks must be worn in:

• supermarkets, shopping centres and retail,
• hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes and other licenced venues,
• other restricted business activities where there is close contact with the public, including hairdressers, beauty and tanning salons and gyms, and
• high-risk settings, such as health and aged care facilities.

For hospitality venues, mask requirements will align with those currently in effect in regional NSW, meaning employees who have contact with patrons, must wear a mask at all times. Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in the venue but can remove the face covering while eating and drinking.

You must also keep your mask on when entering the gym, waiting for classes and in other common areas. You can remove it to do your work out and put it back on afterwards. Gym instructors don’t have to wear masks when teaching a class.

If you work in an office environment, you are not required to wear a mask unless you work in a customer service role where you are regularly interacting with the public eg: Government shop fronts.

Individuals working in Child or After school Care or school holiday programs are not required to wear a mask.

People may also remove their face masks in certain situations such as in emergencies or when eating and drinking. There are other exceptions for mask usage, which can be found on the COVID-19 website.

For a full list of the business and community settings where masks must be worn, visit the COVID-19 website.

Although the use of face masks will become mandatory from Monday 28 June 2021, there will be a 48-hour transition period for businesses and the community to adapt to these new requirements.

In addition to wearing a face mask, you are encouraged to keep practicing COVID safe behaviours.

First and foremost, stay home if you’re unwell and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. When out in Canberra, make sure that you are using the Check In CBR app. In crowded spaces, keep your distance.

ACT Health extends stay-at-home order to apply to travellers from whole of Greater Sydney

A stay-at-home order introduced last week by ACT Health has been expanded to include the whole of Greater Sydney and altered to retroactively apply to residents who have returned to the territory from that region since June 21.  The Greater Sydney region includes the NSW Central Coast, Wollongong, and the Blue Mountains.  It will apply from 6:00pm 27 June 2021 and last until 11:59pm on July 9, in line with the lockdown announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for Greater Sydney.   Those affected by the order must complete a declaration form, isolate and only leave their residence for approved essential purposes.

Due to the evolving COVID situation, you can stay up to day by visiting the  COVID-19 website.