The sound of silence has been replaced with roars of laughter, silverware clinking, busy city traffic and families telling anecdotes to each other in the nation's capital as COVID restrictions ease.
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The gradual return to normal life after more than two months started on Friday when new ACT rules meant that friends and loved ones could gather, in groups of 25 maximum, outside for pleasure.
The same number also applies to indoor settings for hospitality venues.
Among those out and about is Felicity Wilson, who caught up with nearly a dozen of her friends at Snapper on the Lake in Yarralumla.
"I'm really proud of Canberra for being one of the most vaccinated cities in the world," Ms Wilson said.
"I want everyone to be able to go out and enjoy that. Go and keep enjoying life and take the precautions you need to."
Ms Wilson also praised front-line health workers, saying they were the reason for the city opening up again.
"My hats go off to those people who have to work on the front-line and thank you to all of them," she said.
Anurag Gautam, the restaurant's food and beverage manager, said being able to reopen again was more than the bottom line.
"Just to have customers back is a pleasure. For us, it's just not business, it's also the community," Mr Gautam said.
"This pandemic stopped us doing what we love doing.
"When you shut down, you can't see your colleagues, your friends and it's got a big impact on people's mental health - it's like somebody arresting you for what you love to do."
Mr Gautam asked, rhetorically, if there were anything better than people laughing and enjoying the day with their loved ones.
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Also maximising the chance to step out again was Casey woman Janine Malone, who said she dressed up and did her hair and makeup for the first time in two months.
"It's just nice to get back in public and with other people around and do what feels normal," Ms Malone said.
"I was thinking about how it's taught us not to take things for granted as I drove out."
She said that while it was a joyous occasion, people should not lose sight that there were still restrictions and risks.
"I know we've got high vaccination rates, but there are still children who are not eligible for vaccinations," Ms Malone said.
"That's still the biggest worry."
The ACT recorded 20 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday with active cases at 495.
The next checkpoint in the ACT's easing of restrictions will be on October 29 that includes outdoor gatherings increasing to 30 people.
Other venues such as cinemas and galleries will open at this month's end.
That is also when indoor events with fixed seating will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity, up to 500 people, while unfixed seating events will need to be physically distanced with up to 150 people.
The government on Saturday expanded the list of NSW postcodes where ACT residents may travel for any reason without needing to quarantine when they return unless they are a close contact.
It came after the NSW government removed its declaration that the ACT was a COVID area of concern.
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