MASKS will no longer be mandatory on public transport as the ACT government ends the covid emergency declaration after two and a half years.

From Friday (September 30) the territory’s public health response will transition to a COVID‑19 Management Declaration, which will come with a raft of changes to restrictions inclucing:

•  Household contacts no longer need to report their status to ACT Health.
•  Covid safety plans are no longer required for Canberra businesses and events. Planning tools will remain available and ACT Health recommends businesses maintain an up-to-date COVID-19 safety plan to help manage the risk for staff, visitors and customers.
• Vaccine mandates will no longer apply for workers in aged care facilities or disability care settings. Employers will now need to consider whether they wish to implement their own vaccination requirements in their employment policy or work health and safety settings.

The Kambah COVID-19 drive through testing centre will also permanently close at 4pm today and the operating hours at the ACT’s remaining testing centres will be reduced from tomorrow.

PCR testing will be prioritised for people who are at greater risk of severe illness from covid.

RATs will be available for anyone else with symptoms of covid, including from the Mitchell and Garran testing centres.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said that some public health measures will remain.

Canberrans must continue to report positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) to ACT Health as soon as possible.

“If people have any COVID-19 symptoms, they should get tested for COVID-19 and stay at home,” said Stephen-Smith.

“I would encourage anyone needing a test to check the ACT COVID-19 website to confirm COVID-19 testing locations, opening hours and testing advice before they head to a testing centre.

“Canberrans should be reassured that if there is any significant development in relation to COVID-19, we will continue to take appropriate actions to keep our community safe, just as we have throughout the pandemic.”