The ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith has extended the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency until 7 July 2020.

As part of the ACT Government’s response to COVID-19, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed the Public Health (Emergencies) Amendment Act 2020.

The amendment allows the relevant Minister to extend or further extend the period during which an emergency declaration remains in force by a period of up to 90 days for a declaration made because of COVID-19.

The extension of the emergency declaration will enable the Chief Health Officer to continue to take any action, or give any direction, considered to be necessary to protect Canberrans and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the ACT.

The Chief Health Officer will provide further advice at 30-day intervals for the duration of the extension regarding the status of the emergency, and whether the declaration is still justified. If the emergency declaration is no longer justified it can be revoked.

COVID-19 continues to pose a public health risk to the ACT community and extending the ACT’s Public Health Emergency is a necessary step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.