Skip to content
An autonomous, prosperous and sustainable community and council

Mayor Mosby Media Release - COVID 06/01/2022

Posted on: 
Thursday, January 6, 2022

MEDIA RELEASE REGARDING COVID
---------------------
Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby has encouraged all residents to have a COVID-ready kit in their homes in order to prepare for COVID to impact communities. The kits and information are available at local Health Centres.


“There is currently 49 cases across Torres and Cape area, I can confirm that none of these are in the TSIRC Local Government Area. The reported case on Saibai was a non-community member, and the individual is no longer in the region. The Queensland Health modeling suggests that there will continue to be an increase in positive cases between now and the end of February.


“We continue to take guidance from Queensland Health as the lead agency in the pandemic and we remain grateful for the partnership approach provided to us by Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS).

“The advice from TCHHS remains consistent – observe hygiene and social distancing measures, get tested if you are sick and comply with all Queensland Health advice. The best thing we can do to keep our loved ones and communities safe is to follow advice from Queensland Health.

The Torres Strait Local Disaster Management Group (TSLDMG) has received advice from the Chief Health Officer that the region will not be subject to any special considerations regarding controlling movement of visitors and residents, so it is up to us to do our best to protect our people. This advice means there is no lock out or lock downs in the region. However, TSLDMG has expressed the need to implement other measures such as Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) to control the spread of virus and provide some relief to health resources.

“We are strongly reinforcing the use of our Visitor Request Portal, which is mandatory for all non-residents, to enable contact tracing in the event of further positive cases of COVID and to monitor inbound traffic to our islands. We ask residents to only undertake essential travel, in order to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.

“Wherever you go, use the QR sign-in code. They are at all seaports, airports, Council Offices and other Council facilities. If you don’t have a phone with you, ask for the manual sign-in option. That helps us to trace positive cases as they arise.

“Council is committed to working closely with our key stakeholders and Community to enhance our Community Disaster Management Plans, ensuring our people and Communities are informed and safe. Please visit Council’s website www.tsirc.qld.gov.au for more information or visit your Divisional Office.

Mayor Mosby advised that in the event of important developments, including confirmed positive cases in the region, he would provide a live-stream update using the TSIRC Facebook page.


<ends>.