The ACT has recorded five new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths as travel restrictions ease and more students return to school.
Important points:
- The two people who died of COVID-19 yesterday – a man in their 60s and a woman in their 70s – both received intensive care before they died
- Interstate travel between the ACT and Victoria and NSW has now been fully reopened
- Starting today, teachers and educators working with young children must have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
According to ACT Health, two people died with COVID-19 yesterday – a man in their 60s and a woman in their 70s – who were both in intensive care before they died.
Ten Canberrans have now died of COVID-19 during the current Delta variant outbreak.
There are currently eight people with the virus in hospital – three of them in intensive care units who need ventilation.
More than 92 percent of Canberrans 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.
Today, interstate travel reopened for all of New South Wales and Victoria, meaning Canberraners can now travel to any area of NSW, including Sydney, without being quarantined.
Canberrans can also travel to Victoria with a permit – without quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.
It is also now possible to travel to the capital from areas that are not classified as “high risk” – with automated exception documents for fully vaccinated travelers.
Unvaccinated people are only allowed to enter the ACT for compelling reasons.
Airport meetings with the relaxation of travel restrictions
People were reunited at Canberra Airport on Monday morning when travel restrictions were eased. (abc news)
The resumption of international travel also saw Canberra Airport reopen to daily flights.
The airport has been closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays since August 21.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said the resumption of daily flights was “an important next step forward” for Canberra’s tourism and aviation sectors.
He said hundreds of jobs associated with these industries are now returning.
“We are a little more confident about this next period than we have ever been in the last 18 months,” said Barr.
International trips were also resumed with some countries, and Mr Barr said he hoped to hear about more agreements with more countries at the next National Cabinet meeting.
“We hope this matter will be on the agenda for Friday’s national cabinet meeting and some more appointments from the Commonwealth that will allow more international travel for Australians returning home, all of which are great for a family reunion,” he said.
“But important, and hopefully not too far in the future, for the return of qualified migrants, international students and tourists.”
Mr Barr said with the return of interstate travel, people will have to take responsibility for ensuring they are allowed to attend the ACT, which requires vaccination.
He said authorities are not closely monitoring travelers but are using a trust-based system.
“I think you have to consider this very much in the hands of individual responsibility from now on – so random sampling, no more limits,” he said.
“It’s a completely different arrangement now.”
ACT teachers must now have received at least one dose of vaccine
Boosters of a COVID-19 vaccine are now available for those who received their second dose six months ago.AAP: Albert Perez)
As of today, teachers and educators working with young children are expected to have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
They must be fully vaccinated by November 29th to continue their work or they must be reinstated.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said 97 percent of the territory’s school staff have now met the mandatory first dose requirement.
“[I] can only reassure people that we have these high vaccination rates, and if the management staff cannot prove they are following this health ordinance, they will not be able to work at the school, “Ms Berry said.
Fully vaccinated Canberrans can now register for a booster vaccination if more than six months have passed since their second vaccination.
Bookings for a Pfizer booster vaccination can be made with ACT government agencies and participating GPs or pharmacies.
However, pharmacists warn that some pharmacists may be forced to opt out of the booster program due to limited resources and a number they describe as “insufficient” pay.
The President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia ACT, Simon Blacker, said pharmacies are only paid about 60 percent of what GPs get for giving vaccines.
“There are a number of pharmacies in the area who are frustrated and would like to help with the introduction of Pfizer boosters, but they are also happy to [federal Health Minister] Greg Hunt to address pay inequality, “Blacker said.
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