COVID-19 Information & Updates

There are currently no entry and quarantine requirements or travel restrictions for Queensland’s remote Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities. However, Council requests that only necessary travel to the region is undertaken to avoid further spread of COVID-19.

It is mandatory that ALL visitors (including employees, contractors and agents of TSIRC; State and Federal government agencies and nongovernment agencies; and guests of any resident and/or traditional owner) to outer Torres Strait Island communities, notify of their visit prior to
entering the communities via any means. Visitor registration can be done online through this link: www.tsirc.qld.gov.au/community-entry-forms

 

The Chief Health Officer may decide to re‑introduce restrictions if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs in a community. Decisions will be made by the Chief Health Officer based on public health conditions for each community and in consultation with local leaders.

 

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Wearing of face mask:

Face mask wearing is only mandatory in certain settings:

You must wear your mask when at an airport or on a domestic or international flight departing or arriving in Queensland.

While not mandatory, you are strongly encouraged to:

• carry a mask with you at all times when you leave home
• wear a mask in any indoor or outdoor space when physical distancing is not possible.

 

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Visitor Registration:

Regardless of the Coronavirus Pandemic, visitors are required to submit a Visitor Registration Form, prior to arriving to Torres Strait Island Regional Council Communities.

Upon arrival, all visitors are also required to sign-in at the local Council office.

 

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Travelling from Outside Queensland:

Hotspots & Exposure Sites: Keep up to date with the latest declared hotspots, and interstate exposure sites here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing

Queensland Border Restrictions: Check current border restrictions and border pass requirements before travelling, here: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/border-closing

 

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Papua New Guinea & Australian Border Movements:

A ban on cross-border travel for traditional purposes under the Torres Strait Treaty is in place until further notice.

This ban is pursuant to Article 16 of the Treaty between Australia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea concerning Sovereignty and Maritime Boundaries in the area between the two Countries, including the area known as Torres Strait, and Related Matters (Australian Treaty Series 1985 No 4).

Everybody is at risk of getting COVID-19. For most people, they will only develop a mild illness and recover easily, but others may develop a severe sickness that affects the lungs.

People with weaker immune systems are more likely to get seriously ill. This means our Elders and people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease) are at risk.

 

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Why is COVID-19 dangerous for our Communities and Region?

Our communities and region are particularly vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19 because:

• Living arrangements and social connectedness (particularly where many people are living or gathering in one household), makes transmission more likely.

• Higher levels of pre-existing health conditions (particularly diabetes and respiratory conditions). People with these health conditions, especially those aged over 50, are at risk of more severe COVID-19 outcomes.

• Increased remoteness makes access to health care more challenging.

• COVID-19 can spread quickly - it will only take one person coming into the community with the sickness to put the whole community at risk.

 

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Signs and symptoms of COVID-19:

The signs of COVID-19 are a fever (a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees) and a cough. People may also have a sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of taste and loss of smell.

Find out more about the symptoms of COVID-19 and how they compare with common cold and flu.

Everyone has a responsibility to stop the spread of coronavirus. Council urges residents to adhere to Queensland Health coronavirus health advice, which is the leading source of accurate health advice and alerts in Queensland.

The Queensland Health website also has a wealth of information on protecting yourself and others (including the latest social distancing measures and restrictions), keeping well, mental health support, and much more.

 

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What should I do if I get sick?

• Call Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice on care and testing if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19 and your symptoms are mild.

• Call emergency services on 000 if anyone is very unwell.

• Call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 if you want more information on COVID-19. This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you think you have COVID-19, always call your heealth centre or clinic before you visit.

 

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How can I protect my Community and Elders?

To protect yourself, your family and the community from getting COVID-19 you must maintain good hygiene and practice social distancing (also called physical distancing);

What to do: • Stay home if you are sick. • If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested. • Get a flu shot to protect yourself and your family from the flu too. • Stay 1.5 metres away from other people - think two big steps. • Wash your hands lots with soap and water, or hand sanitizer • Sneeze or cough into your arm or a tissue. Then put the tissue in the bin.

What not to do: • Go near people if you are coughing or sneezing. • Touch your mouth, nose and eyes. • Shake hands. • Hug or kiss people. • Share cups or water bottles. • Sharing smokes with other people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Keeping in touch with your Community:

Staying connected with our Elders, family, friends and community is important. Some ways you can do this are:

• Calling people for a yarn on the phone.

• Talking about the community and checking if they are OK.

• Talking about the virus and how to stop the spread.

• Connecting to family and friends on social media.

View or learn more about the latest Queensland COVID-19 statistics here.