Coronavirus: Canberra cafes and restaurants to reopen from this weekend with restrictions

The move is part of the first stage of the ACT government's relaxation of coronavirus restrictions.

Pubs and bars would only be able to open if alcohol served was accompanied by a meal.

National parks, playgrounds and nature reserves will also open, except those shut for remediation after bushfires.

But hospitality industry groups warn very few Canberra businesses will reopen until further restrictions are lifted.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr acknowledged it would only be economically feasible for a small number of businesses to operate under the new guidelines.

Venues can only have 10 patrons if social distancing is enforced and the one person per four square metres rule is adhered to.

All restaurants and cafes will still be able to open for takeaway.

"Local hospitality businesses are encouraged to only reopen if the model works for them," Mr Barr said.

"Choosing to remain takeaway-only for now will have no impact on their ability to consider reopening as the maximum seated occupancy increases in the coming months."

Mr Barr said pubs would be able to reopen for food service but only with the 10-customer limit in effect and alcohol would not able to be served independently of food.

A number of public parks, outdoor fitness stations and playgrounds will open this weekend.

Tidbindilla Nature Reserve will reopen, however Namadgi National Park will remain closed to continue remediation after bushfires earlier in the year.

Community halls and libraries will begin a transition to open their doors, but person limits will also be in place.

Mr Barr said a cautious approach was needed to reopen Canberra businesses to prevent a further spread of the virus.

"We know people are excited to leave their homes, but for the time being, we still have to hold back on the activities that we used to do over the weekend," he said.

"The advice from public health experts is that the safest and easiest way to reach a more sustainable level of restrictions in the community is to ease them gradually."

Further easing of restrictions could be announced by the end of the month, Mr Barr said, should there be no spike in cases.

Australian Hotels Association ACT general manager Anthony Brierley said the industry welcomed the "timid first step" in the right direction.

But the group believes different restrictions need to be imposed on venues, and the one person per four square metres rule scrapped.

He said businesses that were already closed were unlikely to reopen their doors after today's announcement.

Rather, some businesses that were offering takeaway may allow some to dine-in. But few extra staff would be rostered on, he said.

Opposition Leader Alistair Coe said a "one size fits all" approach of limiting all venues to 10 people was not practicable.

"For larger venues, 10 really is a drop in the ocean," he said.

"I think we've got to be flexible here, we've got to trust Canberrans to be responsible."

More to come.

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