The ACT Health Directorate expects transmission of COVID-19 in the community to rise following the easing of restrictions.

As such, the requirement for people to wear face masks in high-risk settings remains an important measure to suppress COVID-19 and respond to outbreaks.

The wearing of face masks remains mandatory in disability accommodation residences, indoor care facilities, and when providing services to people with disability.

Individuals are exempt from this requirement if:

• they are an infant or child under 12 years of age, or
• have a physical or mental health illness, condition or disability which prevents them from wearing a face mask

There are also a number of permissible reasons for a person to remove their face mask. These include: where it is required for the proper provision of a service, or where the wearing of a mask creates a risk to health and safety.

Find further information on the face mask requirements and current public health restrictions.

The ACT Health Directorate will continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 within high-risk settings and review their public health restrictions to ensure they are proportionate to the level of risk across the Territory.

Any further easing of restrictions will be publicly communicated and published on the ACT COVID-19 website

NDS will also publish significant changes and updates.