People have a picnic near Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Australia, Oct. 30, 2021. Coronavirus restrictions in Australia's Canberra have eased significantly as residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are no longer required to wear facemasks outdoors from Friday.Photo:Xinhua

Coronavirus restrictions in Australia's Canberra have eased significantly as residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are no longer required to wear facemasks outdoors from Friday.

For the first time since early August, Canberra's arts and entertainment venues including cinemas and theaters have reopened for up to 75 percent of their seating capacity.

Patron caps for hospitality venues have been increased to a maximum of 25 people inside.

People have a picnic near Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Australia, Oct. 30, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

Households can have up to 10 visitors, up from five previously, and up to 30 people can gather outdoors.

Fitness classes and team sports have also been given the green light to resume.

The ACT has the highest COVID-19 vaccine rate in Australia, with more than 92 percent of the population aged 12 and over fully inoculated.

Australia on Friday morning reported 1,934 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases, 10 of which were in the ACT.

People walk near Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Australia, Oct. 30, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said 85.2 percent of people over 50s and nearly 90 percent of those over 70s have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

He announced 180 million Australian dollars (135.4 million US dollars) in funding for primary care networks to support COVID-19 patients recovering at home.

"As we open up, we know that there will be more cases that will be treated at home because people will be fully vaccinated," he said.