ACT Police issue gatherings reminder

ACT Policing is reminding Canberrans to be aware of gathering limits as the Territory moves to the next phase in the COVID-19 pathway.

Overall, police say they’re pleased with the community’s response to the initial easing of restrictions prior to the long weekend. Only a handful of gatherings exceeding the new limits were reported to police, and the incidents that required police attendance were resolved quickly and peacefully.

Police are also issuing reminders to travelers that regulations about entering the ACT have not changed.

Any travel out of the ACT and approved NSW postcodes must still be for essential purposes.

Anyone coming to the ACT, including returning residents, must submit a travel declaration 72 hours prior to entering the ACT.

Anyone in a vehicle coming from outside the travel bubble, driver or passenger, must have their exemption approved before they attempt to come to Canberra.

Detective Superintendent Naomi Binstead, from ACT Policing’s COVID-19 Taskforce, said people’s behaviour over the next weeks would be vital.

“Now is not the time for people to take shortcuts, we’re just days away from being able to have a few more people getting together and Canberra doesn’t need a ‘super spreader’ event to threaten that pathway forward now,” Det Supt Binstead said.

“We will continue to enforce the ACT public health directions as the restrictions change, so now more than ever I ask the community to keep up to date on the rules.

“We know there may be differences between the rules in the ACT and other jurisdictions. Everyone undertaking essential travel must be aware of what the need to do before returning home.”

Lockdown compliance activity to 5 October 2021:

For the most recent information on the ACT’s COVID-19 restrictions, visit the ACT COVID-19 site.

For all general COVID-19 enquiries – including to make a report of non-compliance – contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am – 8pm, 7 days a week).