Canberra has recorded one of its highest ever days of new COVID-19 cases, with 51 infections reported on Wednesday, just days before the ACT comes out of lockdown.
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The figures come ahead of an announcement later on Wednesday about how contact tracing measures will change when restrictions ease.
Meanwhile, the territory government will mandate COVID vaccines for teachers and staff at ACT primary schools, early childhood settings and out of hours school care.
Staff will be required to have received their first dose by November 1 and be fully vaccinated by November 29.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the measures were implemented to ensure the safety of children under 12, who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
"We already know through staff surveys and the total population vaccination rates that we have exceptionally high levels of vaccination in these settings," Mr Barr said.
"However, given that children under the age of 12 will be unvaccinated as school starts to return, the strong advice is that all possible measures need to be taken to surround these children with vaccinated people."
Of the 51 new cases, 32 were linked to known infections, with 19 of those being confirmed as household contacts.
There were 13 cases that were in quarantine for all of their infectious period, while 22 were assessed as being a transmission risk to others.
Health authorities say there are now 16 people in hospital with COVID-19 in the ACT.
Of those, eight are in intensive care and five are on ventilators.
The ACT's vaccination rate has also increased to 98.5 per cent of over-12s having received their first dose, while 73.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Despite the high number of cases, the ACT's lockdown is set to end as scheduled on Friday.
On Tuesday, Mr Barr said Canberra was on track to become one of the most vaccinated cities in the world, with a 99 per cent double-dose rate expected to be reached by the end of November.
Friday will bring eased restrictions, including allowing gatherings of up to five people in one household, or 25 outdoors.
Restaurants, cafes, bars, gyms and hairdressers will also be able to reopen, subject to density limits.
Most retail will have to wait until October 29 to reopen, but some non-essential stores that take appointments - such as for trying on clothes or test-driving a car - will be able to reopen for a maximum of two people per household.
Australian Associated Press
