9 September 2020

COVID-19 Measures on Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands

As at 9 September, there are NO cases of COVID-19 in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).

Limited compassionate grounds – confirmation of family member definitions

As communicated last week, the Emergency Management Committees of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have endorsed requirements for returning residents who travelled on compassionate grounds, for the ongoing protection of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), its communities and economies.

The below information clarifies the definitions of family members.

Where a returning resident has travelled outside the IOT/WA travel zone and border of WA on compassionate grounds the following applies:

The returning resident will be required to provide proof of the grounds used for the compassionate travel, including details relating to a medical emergency or life expiring event, funeral or the death of a close family member or a wedding for which they travelled.

• Immediate family member is defined as, a spouse or former spouse, de facto partner or former de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or child of a sibling including step relationships and adoptive relationships
• Return approval is not assured and based upon risk, COVID 19 circumstances of the day, medical advice and other measures in place.

CI Territories Week planning

As the CI community prepares for the upcoming Territories Week, the Territory Controller wants to assure residents of the COVID-safe approach being taken by organisers of the various events and activities in their planning. The CI Territory Controller is available for queries and advice on COVID-safe event planning and organisation, to ensure businesses and the community are well protected and risks minimised.

Territory Controller updates

As the COVID-19 response continues and we align with the WA timetable for review of measures, after next week’s update, it is intended to move to fortnightly updates from the Territory Controllers on our local response, preparedness and measures.

As always, we will issue communications on urgent or time critical matters as needed. Individual queries can be directed to iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au

IOT travel application statistics

You may find it interesting to know that since the IOT WA travel zone was announced on 24 July 2020, we have received more than 2,800 applications to travel to the IOT from WA. Of those applications, 56% applied to travel to Christmas Island and 44% applied to travel to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Applications for travel to Christmas Island       

• CI leisure traveller 36%
• CI travelling for work 63%

Applications for travel to Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• CKI leisure traveller 76%
• CKI travelling for work 23%

 IOT COVID-19 response update

In meetings which took place this week, the Emergency Management Committees of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands have endorsed three measures proposed by the COVID-19 subcommittee for the ongoing protection of the Indian Ocean Territories, its communities and economies.

These included:

Support for extension of the IOT States of Emergency

• The IOT States of Emergency (SoE) were declared on 18 March 2020.  The next assessment date for further Ministerial extension is at 17 September 2020. 

• It is expected the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee (AHPPC), which comprises all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by Australian Chief Medical Officer, will recommend to governments that the current States of Emergency be extended until 17 December 2020.
• Maintaining the States of Emergency does not prevent the lifting of travel restrictions. Any emergency declaration extensions would continue to support the WA-IOT travel zone and the return of travellers to the IOT in a safe and controlled way.

Alignment with WA’s COVID restriction staging timeframes

• Throughout the COVID response, the subcommittee has reviewed and aligned with Western Australia’s measures and restrictions wherever possible and relevant, along with national protocols and medical advice. The WA border controls have supported the protection of the IOT.
• In line with this, and in recognition of the WA/IOT travel zone, going forward we will seek to align our staged adjustment of COVID measures and restrictions with the WA timeframes. The next milestone date for WA stage review is 24 October 2020. Unless there is an urgent situation requiring response, the current IOT measures will be maintained until 24 October 2020, in alignment with WA.

Maintaining restrictions on travellers from outside the WA/IOT travel zone

• In line with the WA-IOT travel zone, there will continue to be restrictions on returning residents and essential critical workers from other jurisdictions outside of WA. All applications will be assessed based on their individual circumstances and the risks in the jurisdiction from which they are travelling.
• Where residents apply for permission to travel and then return from outside of the WA-IOT travel zone, this will only be considered on limited compassionate grounds and in line with the strict border and entry requirements.
• Where people depart the IOT and travel outside WA, there is no assurance that restrictions will not change rapidly in response to emerging risks.  Returning to the IOT cannot be assumed and return may not be possible.
• Decisions for travel approval to the IOT from outside the IOT/WA travel zone, will be made close to the travel date to allow monitoring and risk assessments to be conducted on the changing COVID-19 environment.

Be COVIDSafe, keep COVID-free

There are still no cases of COVID-19 in the IOT. However, with the ongoing community transmission on Australia’s east coast, it is a timely reminder to be COVIDSafe.

COVIDSafe means maintaining at least 1.5 metres between you and others at all times, regularly washing your hands with soap, staying at home if you’re sick and getting tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.

If you have previously been tested for COVID but start to feel sick again, get re-tested. Stay at home while you wait for your results.

Wash your hands to stop the spread - clean hands keep you healthy and help stop the spread of germs.

Regularly wash your hands for 20–30 seconds with soap. Remember to wash in between your fingers, the back of your hands and your thumbs.

Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, when you’re preparing food, before or after eating, and after you have been out.

Hand sanitiser is a good alternative when soap and water aren’t available.

IOT WA travel zone

Under the travel zone arrangements with Western Australia, you are exempt from quarantine requirements if you have not been outside WA or the IOT in the 14 days prior to your entry date. You will still need to apply for entry to WA.

All entry into WA requires a WA Entry – Request for Approval as an Exempt Traveller application.

People are encouraged to apply using the “Good to Go Pass” app which can be completed electronically. It can be found at https://www.g2gpass.com.au/. For anyone that is experiencing difficulties with obtaining approval from WA Police, please email iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au for assistance.

IOT to WA – how to complete the WA application:

• Nominate “Persons otherwise seeking to enter WA”

• In the free text field, detail the nature of travel:
  –  entering under the Quarantine (Closing the Borders) Direction: Exempt Traveller (Indian Ocean Territories Traveller) Approval Under Paragraph 27(r)
  – declare that in the last 14 days prior to entry into WA, you have not been outside the IOT or WA (noting that there is a penalty for providing false information)
  – provide details of your travel, including where you are travelling to and from, dates of travel and reason for travel. Add additional supporting documentation as required.

Information on the WA-IOT travel zone exemption is available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/exempt-traveller-approval-indian-ocean-territories

All IOT entry and travel requirements remain unchanged – people must apply for approval to travel to the IOT using the electronic application form https://indianoceanterritories.wufoo.com/forms/iot-traveller-request-form/.

Looking after your mental health

It is important to reach out if you need support during the pandemic. The IOT Health Service has an excellent Managing Stress and Anxiety booklet, which includes a wide range of local and national resources. On island, you can speak to a health professional. For Christmas Island (CI), call 9164 8333, for Cocos (Keeling) Islands call 9162 7609 on Home Island or 9162 6655 on West island. The community social worker on CI can be contacted on 9164 8333 ext 128 or via text on 0447 975 436. People who are concerned about their children can speak with the CIDHS school psychologist. Those with private health cover may also choose to engage with their psychologist of choice via telehealth.

The Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (headtohealth.gov.au) connects people to free, low cost phone, and online mental health services and supports from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. It is a good place to start if you, or someone you care about, might need some help coping with anxiety and worry.

More information on mental health measures can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-supporting-the-mental-health-of-australians-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic.

Who do I call for help, support or advice about Family Violence?

It is important that you know you can reach out for support even during the current State of Emergency. Family violence services across the IOTs are available for support and advice for anyone experiencing family violence or who is worried about how potential self-isolation or changes to your routine due to COVID-19 will impact on your safety and well-being. 

If you need support, you can contact the health services, our social worker or police on the following numbers:  

Christmas Island

• Christmas island Health Services 9164-8333
• Christmas Island Community Policing Team 9164-8444  
• Social Worker Narelle Phone 9164 8333 ext 128 or 0447 975 436

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• Home Island Clinic 9162-7609
• West Island Clinic 9162-6655
• Cocos Community Policing Team 9162-6600  

Legal Aid WA

• 9261 6356 or
• CI Office 9164 7529

If you feel unsafe or are concerned for someone’s safety, please call 000

Emergency Management Committee

The Territory Controllers in conjunction with the Administrator convene a fortnightly Emergency Management Committee (EMC) meeting to provide updates on decisions and actions taken to maintain a COVID-19-free IOT.  Each member of the EMC provides an update on current and future actions their organisations is undertaking to manage COVID-19 measures.

• The next Christmas Island Emergency Management Committee meeting will be Tuesday, 15 September 2020 10.00am Christmas Island time. 
• The next Cocos (Keeling) Islands Emergency Management Committee meeting will be Thursday 1 October 2020 1pm Cocos (Keeling) Islands time