Canberra Stadium is on track to welcome larger crowds after a successful return of fans at the weekend, as the territory records one month without an active case of COVID-19. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it was likely the ACT could allow 25 per cent capacity, an increase of 1500 from the numbers allowed in to the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies games on Friday and Saturday night. "The Chief Health Officer was happy with how things went over the weekend and so I think it's likely we'll be able to move the stadium to the national position of 25 per cent capacity," Mr Barr told ABC Radio Canberra on Monday. "That will see an increase in the number of spectators able to attend games." Mr Barr said although the ACT wouldn't host AFL teams from Melbourne hotspots it was feasible the GWS Giants would play some home games in Canberra in August and September. It comes as the ACT records one month without a known case of COVID-19. Mr Barr said Victoria's situation, which has forced thousands of people into lock-down unable to leave their homes, was a "cautionary note" to other states and territories. "Victoria is experiencing what any state or territory could experience in terms of localised outbreaks," he said. "The challenge for any state or territory government is how quickly can the public health response be put in place and how effective would it be." It has prompted the Australian Medical Association to call for other jurisdictions to halt easing restrictions until community transmission in Melbourne was under control. Victoria recorded 74 new cases on Sunday with 10 postcodes in lock-down and only able to leave for essential reasons. Several public housing blocks have been forced into a "hard lockdown" and are not able to leave for any reason.
Brumbies V Melbourne Rebels at GIO Stadium, 4th of July 2020. The Brumbies celebrate with Andy Muirhead after he scores a try. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
Canberra Stadium is on track to welcome larger crowds after a successful return of fans at the weekend, as the territory records one month without an active case of COVID-19.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it was likely the ACT could allow 25 per cent capacity, an increase of 1500 from the numbers allowed in to the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies games on Friday and Saturday night.
"The Chief Health Officer was happy with how things went over the weekend and so I think it's likely we'll be able to move the stadium to the national position of 25 per cent capacity," Mr Barr told ABC Radio Canberra on Monday.
"That will see an increase in the number of spectators able to attend games."
Mr Barr said although the ACT wouldn't host AFL teams from Melbourne hotspots it was feasible the GWS Giants would play some home games in Canberra in August and September.
It comes as the ACT records one month without a known case of COVID-19.
Mr Barr said Victoria's situation, which has forced thousands of people into lock-down unable to leave their homes, was a "cautionary note" to other states and territories.
"Victoria is experiencing what any state or territory could experience in terms of localised outbreaks," he said.
"The challenge for any state or territory government is how quickly can the public health response be put in place and how effective would it be."
It has prompted the Australian Medical Association to call for other jurisdictions to halt easing restrictions until community transmission in Melbourne was under control.
Victoria recorded 74 new cases on Sunday with 10 postcodes in lock-down and only able to leave for essential reasons.
Several public housing blocks have been forced into a "hard lockdown" and are not able to leave for any reason.
