12 March 2021
COVID-19 Measures on Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands
As at 12 March 2021, there are NO cases of COVID-19 in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).
COVID-19 subcommittee update
The COVID-19 subcommittee noted last week’s announcement by the Western Australian government that Victoria will transition from ‘low risk’ to ‘very low risk’ at 12.01am, on Monday, March 15, pending no further outbreaks.
In light of this upcoming adjustment to WA’s controlled border arrangements, the COVID-19 subcommittee will review the IOT border restrictions for Victoria next week, once it has reached 28 consecutive days of zero community transmission, taking into account expert health advice and our local circumstances.
As always, we will continue to take a prudent and precautionary approach to restriction adjustment, to maintain the protection of our vulnerable IOT communities.
We will update the community further as any decisions are made following next week’s meeting.
For further information on the announcement by the WA Government, please see:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/victoria-transition-very-low-risk-march-15
The COVID-19 vaccination program and the IOT
The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect you, your family and the community. Any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia is subject to the well-established and rigorous assessment processes of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of the Department of Health.
The Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the TGA for use in Australia. These vaccines have met the TGA’s high standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.
As previously reported, Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are represented on a national COVID Inter-Departmental Committee designed to share information and coordinate Australian Government planning and priorities for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. The Department is working with IOTHS and the federal Department of Health to determine the details for the local IOT vaccination roll-out.
At this stage, the Department of Health estimate the vaccine will be made available to the external territories following the completion of Phase 1a and 1b. it is anticipated that when vaccination commences in the external territories including the IOT, rollout will occur for the whole community at the same time. No decision has been made regarding which vaccine will be available to the IOT.
The COVID-19 vaccination will be free. You can choose to have the vaccination, but you don’t have to have it if you don’t want to.
The roll-out will be supported by fact sheets, which will be translated, and – once the schedule is confirmed – community information sessions by the IOTHS.
Further updates will be provided as information regarding the IOT vaccine roll-out comes to hand. Once vaccine clinic dates are confirmed, the IOTHS will invite community members to attend based on the agreed roll-out schedule.
In the meantime, there is some very useful information on Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine program available at https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines
Masks on domestic flights
On Friday, 8th January 2021, National Cabinet agreed to additional aviation measures to strengthen protection of Australians from COVID-19.
As of 8th January, all passengers (excluding children 12 and under or those with particular exemptions) and air crew must wear masks on flights and in airports.
Virgin Australia has implemented these requirements across all its flights, including the IOT service. Passengers will be required to wear masks unless eating or drinking, or unless a medical exemption applies.
Passengers are expected to have their own mask, however any passengers who do not have a mask will be supplied one by the airport team.
See links for further information, including the specific directions for CI and CKI:
COVID-19 IOT travel information website
This website provides up-to-date travel information for those planning on travelling to Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands, tourism operators and other IOT based stakeholders
https://indianoceanterritories.com.au/covid-19-iot-travel-information/
The Office of the Administrator is responsible for ensuring the information is current.
Up-to-date information on travel to WA with controlled interstate borders can be found here:
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.
This means staying at home if you are sick and getting medical advice on being tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they are only mild. If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, seek advice from the health service (via phone in the first instance if it is not a medical emergency).
Anyone who is ill should stay home until they are free of symptoms, regardless of whether they have returned a negative COVID test – we do not want respiratory illnesses of any kind circulating in our communities and ask people to do the right thing if they are unwell.
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.
COVIDSafe also means maintaining at least 1.5 metres between you and others at all times and regularly washing your hands - 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 and after eating, and after you have been out. Hand sanitiser is a good alternative when soap and water aren’t available.
IOT travel application forms
All travellers – regardless of whether they are IOT residents or visitors – must complete a travel form. Christmas Islanders travelling to Cocos must complete the form for travel entry into Cocos. The same applies for Cocos residents travelling to Christmas Island.
Anyone travelling to both islands will be required to complete forms for both CKI and CI.
These forms support the Territory Controllers and health service in our COVID-19 response and contact tracing, in the event of a positive COVID case in the IOT.
Entry in to WA
All entry into WA requires approval from WA Police. All travellers to WA must apply using the “Good to Go Pass” app which is 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 “Other”
- In the free text field, detail the nature of travel:
– 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.
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
Kylie Lwason
Territory Controller
Christmas Island
David Williams
Territory Controller
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
