Eleven local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland have now been identified as areas of concern in relation to COVID-19.
Under the concerns notice, which came into effect on Saturday 31 July, anyone in NSW who has been to one of the 11 identified LGAs since 21 July must only leave their residence with a reasonable excuse for 14 days after they were last in that LGA.
The 11 LGAs are: Brisbane City, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
‘The stay at home rules mean people can only leave their places of residence with a reasonable excuse, such as shopping, medical care, caregiving, outdoor exercise with a member of your household or one other person, and work or education, if you cannot do it from home,’ Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District said.
No border bubble
‘NSW does not have a border bubble with Queensland as the areas of concern in Queensland extend all the way to the border,’ she explained.
‘The stay-at-home orders are in place to reduce the risk of people transmitting COVID-19 among the Northern NSW community after visiting Queensland.’
People who have been to a close contact place at the time specified in the notice must not enter NSW unless they are a NSW resident (or transiting to the ACT). If they are in NSW, they must self-isolate for 14 days since there were last at the close contact place.
People who have been to a casual contact place at the time specified in the notice must not enter NSW unless they are a NSW resident (or transiting to the ACT) or they have had a negative COVID-19 test after being at the venue. If they are already in NSW, they must immediately get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
All people entering NSW from Queensland must complete a declaration form. Anyone who has been to an affected LGA must also travel directly to their accommodation or residence. The declaration form can be completed 24 hours prior to entry, or on arrival. The form is valid for 72 hours.
No new cases in Northern NSW
High levels of testing have continued over the last two weeks and there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern NSW Local Health District.
‘There were 6,560 tests conducted among residents of the District for the week 25-31 July, following the previous week’s total of 6,857 tests,’ said M s Weir.
‘If you are feeling at all unwell, please don’t wait to get a test. Come forward straight away, and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
‘As new case locations are being identified every day, we’re asking people to regularly check the Queensland and NSW Government websites for updates, particularly if they are crossing over the border or travelling out of their usual local area,’ Ms Weir said.
‘When it comes to our workforce, we risk assess staff who return to work after travelling outside our District, and this includes staff who have been in the South East Queensland LGAs.
‘There are additional measures we can apply when needed, such as requiring staff to have extra COVID-19 testing, wearing additional personal protective equipment, or working from home.
‘We urge everyone who can get vaccinated, to do so as soon as possible, in order to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities
‘I want to thank our community for their continued support throughout this challenging period.’
Access the Queensland Government contact tracing website here.
The NSW Government case locations are listed at: NSW COVID-19 case locations | NSW Government.
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