Canberrans urged to continue checking lockdown rules

ACT Policing is urging Canberrans to ensure they are aware of continuing lockdown restrictions.

As the lockdown period continues and slight changes to public health directions occur, people are asked to check the relevant jurisdiction’s health website for current restrictions.

On Thursday and Friday last week, ACT Road Policing led high visibility border compliance activities, checking more than 7,400 vehicles and turning around more than 40 drivers.

The two main issues identified at the border were freight drivers that did not have proper COVID-negative test documentation and local district drivers who did not have the appropriate exemption documents.

On Sunday, officers conducted a compliance operation in the western edge of the city. Approximately 250 vehicles at the Cotter and Uriarra were turned around as these locations were closed for exercise.  

Many people admitted they had not checked on the status of the parks and reserves, and assumed they could still visit these places.

Early on Sunday morning a woman, who was under home quarantine restrictions due to being COVID-19 positive, was charged with drink driving. The two passengers in the vehicle were subsequently ordered into home quarantine due to their close contact with the woman. In addition to the drink driving charges the woman was issued an infringement for breaching ACT health directions.  

Detective Superintendent Naomi Binstead from ACT Policing’s COVID-19 taskforce said ACT Policing was asking everyone to not become complacent.

“We understand people are keen to get back to normal but we must keep to the important health directions, for everyone’s safety,” said Detective Superintendent Binstead.

“The general rules have not changed. You must not leave home unless it is for an essential reason. You must continue to wear a mask where required to do so. And you must check the ACT Government COVID-19 website for the current rules and restrictions within the ACT.

“Now is not the time to become complacent or to take an ‘it’ll be right’ attitude. The better everyone sticks to the rules, the faster we can see more restrictions eased.”

Lockdown compliance activity to 21 September 2021:

For the most recent information on the ACT’s COVID-19 restrictions, visit the ACT COVID-19 site.

For all general COVID-19 enquiries – including to make a report of non-compliance - contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am – 8pm, 7 days a week). For police assistance call 131 444 and only contact Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au