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Mask notice at Woden Bus Interchange hours after the ACT went into a week’s lockdown on Thursday (12 August). Photo: David Murtagh.
There will be a range of changes to public transport and city services as part of the ACT’s seven-day lockdown.
Transport Canberra and City Services say they are planning for situations where significant impacts on service delivery occur. Priority will be given to continuing critical service delivery related to public safety and wellbeing, working closely with contractors, ACT Policing and the AFP.
Bus and light rail services will continue to run to the regular weekday timetable during this period, but the ACT Government is asking that public transport is only used for essential travel.
You must use masks on both buses and light rail if you are over 12 years of age. Using the Check In CBR app is mandatory on board all public transport services. If you don’t have access to the app, you should travel with a registered MyWay card or keep good travel records.
School services, including the Special Needs Transport service, will continue to run for children of essential workers. For information regarding schools during this time, visit Public Schools in the ACT or contact your school directly.
The Flexible Bus Service will continue to run for those who need it; however, do not travel if you feel unwell.
You can find COVID Safe travel information here.
Residential red and yellow bin collections start from 5:00 am as a preventative measure to ensure there is no service disruption. This will allow the collection contractor to stagger shifts to maintain driver distancing measures. Due to this early start, you should put your bins out the night before collection.
There is currently no change to the start times of green bin collections, which will remain at 7:00 am. Pre-booked bulky waste collections are continuing at this stage. You can find out more here.
Many public spaces will be closed during the lockdown period for community safety, including playgrounds, outdoor fitness stations, skate parks, BBQs, and dog parks. Signage will indicate many of the closed locations and public amenity cleaning will also be limited.
All sports grounds in the ACT are closed for organised sports at this time. They should only be used for essential exercise while maintaining physical distancing requirements in line with current health orders.
Libraries ACT will close all library branches as well as the ACT Heritage Library. Items currently on loan have had their due dates extended until 31 August 2021. Library return chutes will be closed, but library items can be renewed online or by phone on 6205 9000.
Library members can continue to access eBooks, eAudio, digital magazines, children’s literacy activities and other digital resources on the Libraries ACT website using their membership number and passphrase. Online storytime, Giggle and Wiggle, and Read Local author talks are also available online.
The home library service and mystery box service will be temporarily suspended.
Funeral services will continue with a maximum of 10 people allowed to attend. Gungahlin Crematorium will continue operating, but capacity is limited to eight people in the private viewing room.
Canberra Memorial Parks’ head office is currently closed to the public. If you need to make any arrangements, contact the Customer Service Team on 6207 0000 during office hours or email [email protected].
If there is a death in the family, most necessary arrangements with funeral directors, cemeteries and the crematorium can be made over the phone and online. Digital forms are available and can be accessed via at Canberra Memorial Parks website.
The Domestic Animal Services (DAS) shelter in Symonston is closed to the general public except by appointment via Access Canberra. The shelter will remain staffed to care for the dogs in DAS’s care. DAS Rangers will continue to respond to call-outs for community safety.
Existing construction projects will be closed. Safety and security are paramount and all sites will be made safe. Sites will be secured to prevent entry. Where projects are underway on our road and path network, additional signage, fencing and bollards will be installed to ensure public safety where required.
Original Article published by Genevieve Jacobs on The RiotACT.