27/06/2021
Face masks are now mandatory in the ACT when out in the community. This applies:
- to all persons aged 12 years and over.
- when dropping off and picking up children from school holiday programs.
- when entering the Aquatic & Fitness Centre, waiting for classes, watching your children participate in swimming classes and in other common areas. You can remove it to do your workout but must put it back on afterwards.
- when attending other indoor sports, participants and referees are required to wear masks before and after games as well as in common areas. Participants and referees are not required to wear masks while competing. Spectators and coaches are required to wear masks at all times.
- in the AIS Visitor Centre including in the AIS Shop and when ordering and waiting at the AIS café, but not while eating or drinking.
As the situation is constantly evolving, please keep up to date with the latest information at https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/home
😷 Face masks to become mandatory in the ACT when out in the community, from midnight tonight.
There are no active cases in the ACT. However, the safety of our community is paramount, so we are bringing in this requirement as a proactive measure to support the strengthened travel restrictions that we have put in place.
This new requirement means, when people are indoors with people they don’t usually live or work with, or on 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 can find a full list of the business and community settings where masks must be worn here: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/face-masks
People may 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 here: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/face-masks
Although the use of face masks will become mandatory from midnight tonight (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, the community is also reminded about all the other important actions they can take to be COVID safe.
First and foremost, stay home if unwell and get tested with 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.
