ACT outbreak: PM Morrison confirms Parliament could sit next week

A parliamentary sitting fortnight scheduled to begin on Monday has been thrown into doubt, after the ACT lockdown was extended until September.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Monday poured cold water on the prospect of politicians converging on Parliament. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has left the door open to parliament going ahead.

"No decision has been taken, other than that Parliament would normally proceed next Monday," he said on Tuesday.

"We continue to work through those issues with the [federal] Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Health Officer here."

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A large number of MPs remained in the capital given the brief interlude between sitting periods, and Mr Morrison said there would be sufficient numbers to ensure Parliament could proceed if necessary.

It comes after Mr Barr said his preference was for the sitting week to be postponed.

"My starting point would be now is probably not the time for the Federal Parliament to return," he said.

Parliament remained open at reduced capacity at the beginning of the month, with a number of Sydney and Brisbane-based MPs forced to attend via video link.

Those that come to Canberra were urged to travel with a skeleton staff, and avoid public places where possible.

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