- Canberra and the rest of the ACT will enter a snap week-long lockdown after the territory recorded one new case of COVID-19
- This is the first local case of the virus in the ACT in a year, with a man in his 20s testing positive for the virus
- Authorities believe he’s been out in the community while infectious since Sunday, sparking the snap lockdown
- For the next seven days Canberra residents will be asked to stay home, with schools and shops to close and restaurants to become takeaway only
- It’s not known if the lockdown in Canberra will affect Federal Politicians who have been sitting for Parliament
Canberra and the rest of the ACT will enter a snap week-long lockdown after the territory recorded one new case of COVID-19.
A man in his 20s has tested positive for the virus and authorities said he may have been infectiously in the community since Sunday.
First case
This is the first COVID-19 case in the ACT in a year, and the first lockdown in the capital since April 2020.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said this case would pose a serious challenge to the capital.
“This is the most serious public health risk that we are faced in the territory this year,” Mr Barr said.
“Really, since the beginning of the pandemic. It is why we are introducing a strict lockdown in response.”
The Chief Minister also confirmed the source of the man’s COVID-19 infection was not yet known – with contact tracing now underway.
“We do not currently know the source of the infection, but extensive investigation has been under way for many hours,” Mr Barr said.
New restrictions
The ACT Leader said from 5pm tonight, the territory would be in lockdown for seven days, with all residents urged to stay home.
Schools will close to all non-essential workers, while retail stores will shut and restaurants and cafes will revert to takeaway service.
Residents will be expected to work from home, and only go out for essential shopping, care and exercise.
Masks will become mandatory in public and households are being asked to limit their number of guests.
At this stage, it’s not known if the lockdown in Canberra will affect Federal Politicians who have been sitting for Parliament.