AFTER about a month of being coronavirus-free, the ACT has recorded three new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr made the announcement in a media conference this afternoon (July 8) saying each case is linked to the Victorian outbreak.
The three individuals are one female and two males (aged in their 20s). Two of them arrived in the ACT from a Melbourne hotspot on Thursday (July 2) and one is a household contact. A small number of close contacts have been identified.
Prior to being tested, the three individuals visited the Fyshwick Markets on Saturday, July 4, between 3pm and 4pm and Westfield Belconnen on Monday, July 6 between 12pm and 12.30pm.
ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman says the risk to the broader community is low, however, anyone who attended these locations during these times should be vigilant and monitor themselves for symptoms.
“We are confident the risk to the broader ACT community is low,” Dr Coleman says.
“However, this is a very important reminder of the ongoing pandemic and the risk posed by the outbreak currently evolving in Melbourne.
“Anyone who has been in Melbourne in the past two weeks should monitor themselves for symptoms and be vigilant.
“From 12.01am today, the ACT has closed its borders for anyone travelling into the ACT from Victoria, unless you have an exemption to enter. ACT residents are approved to return to their home, subject to entering quarantine for a period of 14 days, from the day after leaving Victoria. ACT residents must notify ACT Health of their intention to enter the ACT. Details on how to this are available on the COVID-19 website. We will be checking compliance in partnership with ACT police.
“Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should attend one of our testing centres to be tested.
“This is why we have implemented new Public Health Directions that restrict travel to the ACT from Victoria. It is also a critical reminder that no one should be travelling to Victoria except for absolutely essential reasons.”
These new cases bring Canberra’s COVID-19 total to 111. There are no patients in Canberra hospitals.
The number of negative tests in the ACT is now 33,115.
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