With a full COVID-19 vaccination rate of 86 per cent for everyone aged 12 or over and just 19 of 400 active cases needing hospital care, ACT residents are looking forward to soon being able to travel interstate.

The territory recorded a further 24 infections on Saturday, as retailers opened their doors on a weekend for the first time since August 12 although four square metre density limits applied.

The ACT government announced earlier in the week it would lift restrictions for retailers, allowing them to conditionally reopen from Friday.

Of the 19 patients in Canberra hospitals, a dozen are in intensive care and four of those require ventilation.

Health officials say the total caseload from the ACT’s latest outbreak stands at 1577. Some 1445 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to Friday evening.

The Business Council says the territory’s vaccination milestones are creating momentum and gradually restoring confidence.

Chief executive Jennifer Westacott on Friday said recent announcements around quarantine-free international arrivals would also allow businesses to grow as demand increased. 

More restrictions in the ACT are due to ease on October 29 and the territory will open to NSW and Victoria on November 1. 

The territory recorded 13 cases of COVID-19 on Friday. 

AAP

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