LIFE will begin to return to normal for Canberrans as lockdown lifted in the territory from midnight this morning (October 15). 

The ACT has been effectively closed for business for nine weeks while trying to manage an outbreak of the covid Delta variant.

As lockdown ends, a number of restrictions have eased allowing hairdressers and beauty salons to reopen, and people in the ACT can welcome others into their homes again.

From today, Canberrans are able to enjoy returned freedoms, including:

• Five people allowed in a house
• 25 people can gather outside, for recreation or organised sport
• Licensed venues can have 25 people inside or one per four square metres
• Licensed venues can have 50 people outside or one per four square metre
• Hairdressers and personal care can reopen to five clients at a time
• Swimming pools can reopen with up to 25 people, only two swimmers per lane
• Non-essential retail will continue to be mostly click-and-collect or delivery until October 29
• Funerals can have 50 people or one person per four square metres, regardless of whether the funeral is indoors or outdoors
• Weddings can have 25 people or one person per four square metres. Guests must remain seated whilst eating and drinking. Dancing is permitted
• Accommodation, campgrounds, caravan parks will open.
• Up to two visitors per day can visit a person who is a resident of a residential aged care facility. Visitors must be vaccinated

Masks will continue to be required at all times upon leaving home, including in workplaces, if you are aged 12 years and over.

NSW restrictions eased on Monday (October 11) following the lifting of the state’s lockdown.