Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) say they would like to thank residents of Northern NSW who have responded to calls for testing as part of the response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney.
Last week until 19 June, there were 2,584 COVID tests for Northern New South Wales
Local Health District residents.
This week, up until Saturday 26 June, there were 3,611 tests amongst local health
district residents. Not all tests are conducted locally, as some residents are tested
elsewhere in the State.
On Sunday, 27 June there was further increased testing with 580 tests being conducted
at our four hospital testing clinics in Tweed Heads, Lismore, Byron Bay and Grafton.
NNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir, says anyone experiencing even the mildest of cold-like symptoms should come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received.
‘We thank people for their patience as there have been some delays at the Byron and
Lismore testing clinics. The LHD is allocating additional staff to the clinics to reduce
waiting times. Please bring a hat or sun protection and water.’
There are also other testing options available in the area.
A full list of your nearby testing locations can be found here.
The LHD has implemented additional precautions. All visitors to Northern NSW
hospitals must wear a mask before entering facilities and the following visitor
restrictions are now in place:
• Patients can have two visitors twice a day for one hour. The visitors can be four
different people.
• Visiting arrangements for Maternity patients are unchanged.
For outpatient appointments and community services, telehealth appointments are
being utilised where possible.
Visitors to Northern NSW who arrived via Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport on the
following flights are advised that they must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943
553, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
A Sydney-based cabin crew member on these flights has been diagnosed with COVID-
19. All passengers on affected flights are being contacted.
Flight details are:
VA939 (Virgin) Friday 25 June
departed Sydney at 11.51am, arrived Brisbane at 1.25pm
VA517 (Virgin) Saturday 26 June
departed Sydney at 11.14am, arrived at the Gold Coast at 12.40pm
Anyone who attended the Sydney Airport T2 domestic terminal food court on Thursday
24 June between 5am and 10am is a close contact and must immediately get tested
and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they
have already been contacted by NSW Health.
Anyone who attended the T2 domestic terminal in all areas except the food court on
Thursday 24 June between 5am and 10am is a casual contact and must immediately
get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Please continue to
monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they develop.
To find your nearest clinic, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-
yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.
There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW.
Northern NSW Local Health District is expanding its capacity to provide COVID-19
vaccinations in the region, extending opening hours for the three clinics located at
Tweed Mall, Lismore Square Shopping Centre, and Link Arcade Grafton.
The Tweed and Lismore clinics are now operating seven days a week, while the Grafton
clinic will be open six days a week, Monday-Saturday.
Find the latest clinic information at the Eligibility Checker on the health.gov.au website.
Our clinic schedulers are working hard to schedule appointments for local residents,
and to return calls that are lodged through our call back system.
‘I would like to thank the community for their patience and assure people that everyone
who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated in due course as the Commonwealth
Government makes supplies available,’ said Ms Weir
Northern NSW residents and visitors are reminded that the following restrictions now
apply to NSW regional areas:
• People who have been in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast
and Wollongong on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a
period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast
and Wollongong.
• Visitors to households will be limited to five guests – including children;
• Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including
workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
• Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
• Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor
places of worship will not be allowed;
• Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however,
dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20
people);
• Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
• The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor
and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
• Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity.
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