General news

news news ACT lockdown extended, minor easing of restrictions

On Tuesday 14 September, the ACT’s lockdown was extended for at least another month, meaning it will continue until Friday 15 October at the earliest.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the decision to extend was based on the public health risk that remains locally, and regionally after a case was detected in Yass overnight.

Some minor amendments to public health directions will come into effect from 11.59pm Friday 17 September: • Small businesses that are currently permitted to operate a click and collect or click and deliver service will be allowed to have up to five people in the business at any one time or one person per four square metres. • The recommencement of in-person house inspections by private appointment. Only household members will be permitted to attend an appointment with one

real estate agent. • The recommencement of outdoor social and recreational sport with up to five people.

This does not permit organised competition, coaching or training to recommence. Indoor sport remains closed. Gatherings in the home – including in outdoor areas – will still not be allowed.

ACT Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerryn Coleman, said the decision was “the one that we needed to make to control the spread of COVID-19”.

“At this time, the combination of unknown sources of transmission in the community and people yet to be vaccinated means that this risk is too high,” Dr Coleman said.

So far (to 14 September), over two-thirds of total cases have been infectious in the community for some or all of their infectious period.

A “mid-point review” of the lockdown settings will be conducted in a fortnight.

Mr Barr said his priority over the next four weeks of lockdown is to “vaccinate as many people as possible”.

In that time, nearly 50,000 Canberrans will receive a first dose of Pfizer through an ACT Government clinic, with a further 35,000 to receive second dose.

Tens of thousands more will receive a first or second AstraZeneca jab via local GPs and pharmacists.

Additionally, the ACT Government has developed a plan for the first four weeks of term four in local schools that will see Year 12 students return to on-campus learning from the start of term on Tuesday 5 October.

Year 11 will return from week three, Monday 18 October, subject to the health situation not deteriorating in the interim.

Pre-school to Year 10 will continue remote learning for at least the first four weeks of term four.

Plans for the ACT’s pathway forward were also released Tuesday; a one-page document that broadly outlines the already widely reported phases of the Doherty Institute model with some mention of what will be considered when the thresholds are met, though without any specifics.

“The Chief Minister has been spruiking for weeks now that today he would provide a roadmap and plan for a safe transition out of lockdown, but all he offered was a four-week extension with little regard for Canberrans doing it tough,” Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee said.

Mr Barr told journalists that as the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination thresholds are met, restrictions would be eased to involve measures like density limits, gathering size limits, face-to-face learning, and check-in requirements.

- Denholm Samaras

Financial support for businesses extended but needed urgently

Following Tuesday’s announcement that lockdown has been extended by another month, the ACT Government will extend and expand a range of financial support measures, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

The utilities concession will be increased by $200 for 31,000 eligible households to $1,000; it was earlier increased by $100 in June, from $700 last year.

The land tax and commercial rates relief to landlords who provide rent relief to their tenants has been doubled, and extended until 31 December.

Earlier this month, the ACT Government offered a commercial rates credit of $5,000 to commercial landlords who offered rent relief to their tenants; that credit has been increased to $10,000.

Residential landlords providing rent relief will receive a credit of $100 per week on their residential land tax.

Rent payments will be waived for business and community sector tenants of government-owned properties who were significantly affected by the lockdown.

The Government will make more announcements about joint funding with the Commonwealth for businesses.

However, Canberra Business Chamber president Graham Catt said businesses were hoping for better news out of Tuesday’s announcements.

Many businesses expected that at 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates, normal economic activity would be resumed in stages.

“Business owners hoped for more detail about what life will look like when we reach the different phases of the pathway. When might we shop in person, eat out, or have a haircut again?”

More than 7,000 business have applied for business support grants; Mr Barr said that $17.26 million has been paid to more than 1,000 business over the last week. However, several business leaders said they had not received a grant five weeks into lockdown, nor met anyone who had. They want assistance urgently.

“Many are telling us that the payments aren’t coming quickly enough,” Mr Catt said. “People are eating into their savings, and as more small businesses hold onto their cash and can’t pay their bills to other businesses, it is hitting everyone’s cash flow.

“Thousands of ACT businesses and their employees cannot wait another four weeks ... Getting support payments to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible is critical.

“We cannot underestimate the economic strain that is currently being carried by private and notfor-profit ACT businesses, and the devastating long-term economic impacts if we cannot provide them with the support they need to survive.”

news news Bringing suicide Out of the Shadows

As the sun rose over the Carillion on Friday 10 September, four Lifeline Canberra members solemnly read out 63 names: the Canberrans who had died by suicide over the last year.

The little dawn ceremony, known as Out of the Shadows, is held every year on World Suicide Prevention Day to share hope for people struggling with mental health and for those grieving loved ones lost to suicide.

“It brings suicide and the awareness of suicide out of the dark and into the light,” said Lifeline Canberra CEO Carrie-Ann Leeson. “It’s a very special morning where we gather to raise awareness and to reflect, and to commemorate and remember loved ones lost.”

This year’s event also fell the day after R U OK? Day – a double reminder of the importance of caring for yourself and others during this strange time.

Nine people die by suicide every day in Australia, and more than 55,000 try to take their own lives every year – and each death affects 135 people.

Traditionally, Out of the Shadows is held on the lawns of Parliament House; from there, friends and family bereaved by suicide, or people who have survived a suicide attempt, walk around Anzac Parade.

Due to restrictions, only Ms Leeson and her three colleagues could physically attend the ceremony, but many Canberrans were there in spirit. Some lit candles, went for contemplative walks, or held vigils in their gardens and driveways. Visit www.outoftheshadows.org.au for more information.

During the lockdown, many Canberrans feel fatigued and anxious, distressed by the prospect of another weekend without seeing their loved ones, and another week without travel, Ms Leeson said.

Many have sought help from Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis hotline (13 11 14). The previous week, Lifeline received 3,500 calls in a single day; that record was broken last week, when more than 3,600 people phoned on Wednesday 8 September.

Lifeline has increased its call answer rate, thanks to the crisis supporters – or, as Ms Leeson calls them, “those incredible humans amongst us, those earth angels”. Many have volunteered to do more shifts, while many have applied to be trained.

They will be needed. Ms Leeson anticipates call demand will only increase over the next few months as people come terms with the reality of the pandemic: “Not just contracting the virus, but the loss of freedom, the loss of financial stability, the breakdown in relationships – everything seemingly that the impact of COVID has taken away from us.”

It is important to discuss mental health, Ms Leeson said. Ask people how they’re going, how they’re feeling about the uncertainty. Ask children what they’re grateful for today.

“You don’t need to be an expert in mental health to start that conversation; you don’t need to be the one to finish it; but make sure you’re aware, now more than ever, of the resources, services, and people around you that can help you through this time.” If you require help: • Call Lifeline’s 24/7 Crisis Support on 13 11 14 • Call 000 in an emergency

- Nick Fuller

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