Joint statement from Torres Shire Council Mayor Cr. Vonda Malone, and Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Cr. Phillemon Mosby.
The following applies for the duration of the Cairns and Yarrabah Local Government Areas lockdown (lockdown area).
If you were in the lockdown area at the time of the lockdown or you are a resident or worker of the Torres Strait returning from the lockdown area, from 4 pm on Sunday 8 August 2021, you must continue to comply with the remaining lockdown restrictions for Cairns and Yarrabah (Restrictions for Locked Down Areas (Cairns and Yarrabah) Direction (No. 5)).
The stay at home isolation requirement for anyone entering the Torres Strait from the lockdown area stops at 4pm 12/08/21.
If you have been to a Contact Tracing exposure site, get tested and follow the Qld Health Directives which may include the need to quarantine. Contact Site requirements will still apply after the lockdown.
Face Masks:
- If you were in the lockdown area at the time of the lockdown or you are a resident or worker of the Torres Strait returning from the lockdown area, from 4 pm on Sunday 8 August 2021, you must continue to wear a face mask when leaving your home or place of accommodation until Sunday 22 August 2021.
- If you cannot wear a face mask, please do not leave your home or place of accommodation.
- The face mask must cover the nose and mouth at all times while in an indoor space or an outdoor space.
- There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including children under 12, when eating or drinking, or certain medical conditions - Click here for a full list of exceptions.
QR Codes:
- For the safety of the wider Torres Strait community, residents and visitors must use the QR Code on entering any retail, commercial or government premises.
- The QR Code is important for contract tracing in the event of a COVID-19 infection being identified in the community.
Education & Compliance:
Queensland Police Service are assisting with education and monitoring of compliance with the Queensland Health Directives for persons returning to the Torres Strait from Cairns and Yarrabah lockdown areas.
- Persons refusing to comply with a current direction without a lawful reason, may be subject to an on-the-spot fine, an infringement notice, or a notice to appear in court.
- If you are seeking clarification on a Direction, are seeking an exemption, or have any questions, please call 134 COVID (134268) or visit here.
Reconsider Face-to-Face Meetings:
Until further notice, the two Local Government Councils that make-up the Torres Strait Local Disaster Management Group request that you alter your communication in the Torres Strait to non-face-to-face meetings (such as Teams/Zoom).
If you are planning on holding any face-to-face meetings with either local governments, as a precautionary measure we respectfully request you consider deferring the meeting to a later date at this time due to potential COVID-19 risks.
We thank you for your support in our shared objective of protecting the health and safety of our communities.
Keeping the Torres Strait Community Safe:
The TSLDMG strongly encourages anyone who has been in Cairns on or after Friday, 23 July 2021 to:
- Wear a mask.
- Get tested for COVID-19.
- Maintain physical distancing 1.5 metres away from other people—think two big steps - in public places.
- Get vaccinated.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser.
- Leave a location if it is crowded.
- Use the Check-In app whenever you visit a venue.
The Torres Strait Local Disaster Management Group (TSLDMG) stresses the need for the local community work together to continue to maintain safe practices and physical distancing during this pandemic and reconsider travel to Cairns and the mainland unless absolutely essential.
Get Vaccinated:
- The TSLDMG strongly recommends all members of the local community to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.
- If you still need to get vaccinated, you can register your interest for the vaccine through your respective Primary Health Care Centres or visit the Thursday Island Pharmacy for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Testing Sites:
All Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services sites have testing capability although Point of Care (rapid) testing is available at the following sites:
- Thursday Island Hospital
- Saibai Island - PHC
- Boigu Island - PHC
- Badu Island - PHC
- Bamaga Hospital
More Information: