Nightclubs can reopen and visitor limits at home will be scrapped in Canberra sooner than expected, after the ACT government brought forward the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The changes were brought forward by two weeks due to the ACT’s high vaccination rate, which has passed 95 per cent.

From midnight on Friday, indoor and outdoor entertainment venues can host events with 100 per cent capacity, while restrictions on cinemas and swimming pools will also be relaxed.

Limits have been scrapped for visitors to the home or informal outdoor gatherings.

More people will be allowed in pubs, cafes, restaurants and retail with density restrictions eased to one per two square metres.

Density limits will no longer apply to outdoor spaces.

Nightclubs will also be able to reopen with dancing permitted, while punters will be able to drink while standing up.

Organised sport can also restart in indoor settings.

Face masks will only be required in high-risk settings such as aged care, hospitals, public transport and in schools.

However, the government is still urging Canberrans to wear face masks in crowded settings.

The measures will remain in place over the Christmas period and will be reviewed by health authorities in late January.

Travel exemption requirements will remain in place for high-risk areas across the country.

The decision to bring forward the easing of restrictions came following a meeting of ACT cabinet late on Monday.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Canberra would enter a new phase in its pandemic response.

“Canberrans should be incredibly proud of how our city has responded to the pandemic,” he said.

“Canberrans now have a lot to look forward to in our city over the summer months.”

The chief minister will provide a further update to the new changes later on Tuesday.

– AAP