ACT records 12 new local COVID-19 cases

The Australian Capital Territory has recorded 12 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with 11 of those linked to existing cases.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said one unknown case was undergoing interviews by contact tracers but today's case numbers were "good news".

There are now 95 active coronavirus cases in the ACT, with more than 20,000 people in quarantine.

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Mr Barr said ACT Police had reported "incredibly high levels of compliance" with people obeying lockdown orders.

More than 150 hotel and home compliance checks were conducted in the past 24 hours and 85 business checks.

While 760 vehicles were stopped on roads, with 12 of those turned around.

There were 12 cautions issued to rulebreakers, mostly to people failing to wear a mask.

Mr Barr said the capital had no choice but to follow lockdown restrictions as the rise in cases demonstrated "how quickly this can spread".

"We have two choices, see this through, see the numbers continue to reduce or the alternative path and people have been that plays out," he said.

The ACT's snap lockdown, announced last Thursday, will go until at least September 2.

The list of public exposure sites has continued to grow to more than 250 including public transport routes, fast food outlets and a childcare outlet.

Vaccinations over 'ring of steel' approach

Mr Barr yesterday stressed mass vaccinations rather than a "ring of steel" approach holds the key for the ACT and other states and territories in ending lockdowns.

"A sealed bubble that would keep the virus out wouldn't work... it's false hope, it can't be delivered," Mr Barr said.

He pointed to the new COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand, a country that was free of the pandemic for months and enacted tough border restrictions.