ACT records 17 new local COVID-19 cases, numbers expected to rise

The ACT has recorded 17 new local cases of COVID-19, taking the current outbreak to 45.

There was a record number of 7380 tests in the territory and no one is in hospital with the virus.

"We are, of course, though, very early in this outbreak," Chief Minister Andrew Barr said today.

READ MORE: ACT lockdown extended by two weeks after 19 new local cases recorded

"Our case numbers are going to continue to grow."

The lockdown, which came into effect at 5pm on August 12, was extended yesterday until at least September 2 after 19 local cases were detected.

Canberra residents have been asked to stay home and only leave the house for essential reasons.

This includes buying essential groceries and medicine, accessing healthcare, exercising outdoors for one hour per day in their region, getting a COVID-10 test or getting a COVID-19 vaccination.

Supermarkets, bottle shops, service stations and other essential stores will remain open throughout the lockdown.

READ MORE: Schools, cafes on new alert list for coronavirus in ACT

Anyone aged 12 years and over must wear a mask at all times when leaving home.

"Regrettably, we need to strengthen our compliance in relation to essential businesses that remain open, so if I can repeat again, browsing at a hardware store is not an essential activity," Mr Barr said.

"It doesn't help. All it does is increase the likelihood of the virus transmitting between people. If you need to go to the hardware store, get in and get out quickly.

"Most people shouldn't need to go to the hardware store today, tomorrow or for the rest of the week. Please stay at home."

Construction will also remain largely closed.

Exposures sites list grows

Exposure sites in the territory have passed more than 80 locations.

Positive COVID-19 cases visited two campuses at the Canberra Institute of Technology - the Bruce and Reid – and people who may have been exposed are being contacted by authorities.

Dr Coleman said they have also "identified at least six sites at which transmission has occurred".

READ MORE: Shoppers flock to ACT supermarkets despite pleas over panic buying

"So yesterday we discussed Fiction Nightclub and Downer Community Centre.

"We also have transmission now confirmed at the Assembly Bar as well as at the Lennock Jaguar Land Rover dealership site.

"Furthermore, at Gold Creek School, there are cases coming out of that as well as Lyneham High School.

"So we definitely are seeing transmission from these exposure sites and I'd like to re-emphasise the importance of the quarantine requirement of our directions," Dr Coleman said.

No new cases have been linked to the Greenway Views Village retirement home.

The ACT is not listing every single exposure site because there are circumstances in which authorities know exactly who was in a location at a certain time.

"We won't list the site if there is no benefit to be gained by identifying contacts through that public messaging," Dr Coleman explained.

If there is uncertainty about who was at a venue then it will be listed publicly.

Visit the ACT government website to view the full list of exposure sites and times.

Additional financial support

Financial support will be provided for ACT businesses as well as workers who have lost hours through an extension of the COVID disaster payment arrangements.

The ACT Government has been working with the Federal Government on this support, Chief Minister Barr said.

"So business support grants under that partnership scheme will be extended and provide support of up to $10,000 for employing businesses and $4,000 for non-employing businesses.

"There is also an overarching ACT Government small business hardship scheme.

"Information on all of these new payments will be put online shortly," Chief Minister Barr said.