The ACT chief minister has warned COVID-19 restrictions may return at a moment's notice, as the national capital moved to ease some of its Omicron measures.
Density limits will be scrapped from Friday while dancing can resume, along with eating and drinking while standing up, at hospitality venues.
Mask rules will also be relaxed from next week, with further detail yet to be announced.
It comes as Canberra recorded 561 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the restrictions were relaxed after Omicron case numbers plateaued.
While cautiously optimistic about the virus situation in Canberra, he said restrictions could return should there be a new variant or spike in cases.
"The expectation of a further wave, combining with the flu season in winter, remains a period of concern," Mr Barr told reporters in Canberra.
"Restrictions are easing today, but a week is a long time in the pandemic and things can change."
The government has indicated a return to the workplace for employees where possible, while ticketing and pre-registration requirements for events have also been scrapped as part of Friday's changes.
From Monday, non-essential elective surgery will resume at Calvary Hospital in Canberra's north.
About 500 procedures had been impacted by the decision to pause elective surgeries at the hospital at the height of the Omicron wave.
From Tuesday, the mandatory quarantine period for unvaccinated international travellers will shorten to seven days, but exemptions will still be required for unvaccinated people to enter the ACT.
Vaccinated travellers won't have to complete an online declaration form, but testing requirements will remain in effect.
Mr Barr said Friday's restriction changes were brought forward by several days, following NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet's decision to ease restrictions in the state.
"We had intended to make this announcement early next week, we've brought it forward in line with the chief health officers across most of the east coast," he said.
Victoria had also eased some of their COVID-19 restrictions on Friday, in line with measures in NSW.
Of the 561 new cases reported on Friday, PCR tests accounted for 265 of the fresh cases, while 296 positive results came from rapid antigen tests.
Hospitalisations have also declined, down from 47 patients to 45. Two patients with COVID-19 are currently in intensive care, with one of them on a ventilator.
Mr Barr said a sharp spike in COVID-19 was not likely, but warned of potential new variants.
"We will have to just get a bit more used to there being nuances and changes from time to time that aren't earth-shattering," he said.
"That is not pandemic management in the third year, fourth year, fifth, however long. We are going to be living with this, at this point, it has no end date."
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the eased restrictions were a sign of cautious optimism about the COVID situation.
"I'm confident Canberrans understand the simple actions and behaviours we can all take to protect ourselves and others," she said.
"It's important to be considerate of those for whom easing of restrictions may create some anxiety."
