31 August 2021

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

As at 31 August 2021, there are NO cases of COVID-19 in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).

Your new-look IOT COVID-19 updates

Welcome to the first update from your IOT COVID-19 subcommittee. These communications under this new branding will replace the regular updates on the local COVID-19 response in Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands which you previously received from the Territory Controllers.

We will continue to ensure you are kept up-to-date on the latest border settings, travel processes, directions and expert health advice. The COVID-19 subcommittee continues to meet on a regular basis to ensure appropriate protections are in place and decisions are made for the safety of the IOT communities.

You can also check for updates and breaking news through the Administrator’s official Facebook page.

Remember, if you or someone you know wants to subscribe to the COVID subcommittee updates, you can do so using this link:

https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/06F9759695D2693F

Final opportunities to roll up your sleeve for COVID protection

We have made great progress with the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine across the Indian Ocean Territories, with more than 1500 residents now having had their first dose of Pfizer across the IOT, including some 1100 people on CI and more than 450 people across Cocos. Getting your second dose of the vaccine is extremely important as it creates a stronger, longer lasting immune response to fight the virus if you ever catch it in the future. We’ve already delivered a second dose to more than 1250 people on the islands.

However, time is now running out for those who have not yet taken the opportunity to protect themselves against COVID-19 with vaccination. The last opportunity for a first dose is 9 September to allow a second dose to be administered by 30 September. It is anticipated the next opportunity for COVID-19 vaccination in the IOT will be June 2022. Given this, anyone on CI or Cocos seeking their COVID vaccination should do so urgently in the next fortnight as part of the current program.

The COVID-19 subcommittee thanks the community for their rapid uptake of the vaccine. We urge all eligible members of the community to continue to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. If you are an eligible resident, including those aged 12-15 years of age, on CI or Cocos who has not yet been vaccinated, please get your vaccine as soon as possible as it is our best defence against COVID-19.

With the COVID-19 situation constantly evolving across mainland Australia, it is vital that all residents come forward to get vaccinated. The Australian Government has committed to ensure all willing and eligible people within the external territories are vaccinated against the risks of COVID 19.

We ask that businesses and employers across the IOT encourage and support your staff to take this opportunity to be vaccinated, to maximise the protection of our communities, our economy and our daily way of life.

COVID-19 continues to pose a very real threat to the health and wellbeing of our community, as seen in the ongoing situation across mainland Australia. Once you have been vaccinated, it is important that you still follow public health guidelines, including practising good hygiene, staying home if unwell, getting tested if you have any COVID-19 related symptoms and keeping up to date with the latest directions and restrictions.

A big thank you to everyone who has been working hard to ensure a successful roll-out, particularly to our IOTHS staff who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep the IOT COVID-Safe.

Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands open to SA travellers

The IOT COVID-19 subcommittee met today to discuss travellers from South Australia (SA). This was done in consultation with WA authorities and based on expert medical advice. Effective midday, CI time, Tuesday 31 August 2021, travellers will once again be allowed from SA, without the requirement to quarantine in WA before travelling to the IOT.

Be COVIDSafe, keep COVID-free

There are still no cases of COVID-19 in the IOT. However, we remind you to continue 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).

For our local businesses, you should review your approved COVIDsafe plans and ensure you are continuing to apply your approved safety measures, including physical distancing markings and compliance by patrons.

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.

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:

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-controlled-interstate-border

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.

Christmas Island Travel Application Form

Cocos Keeling Islands Travel Application Form

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 experiencing difficulties with obtaining approval from WA Police, please email iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au for assistance.