26 July 2022

IOT COVID-19 SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE

End to IOT travel application and entry requirements from 1 August 2022 

Based on the current stage of COVID transmission in the IOT and consistent with changes made by other jurisdictions as they progressed through their local COVID response, the IOT COVID-19 subcommittee has agreed that from 1 August 2022, the travel application process to enter Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands will cease. 

In alignment with the end of the application requirement, unvaccinated travellers will be able to enter the IOT without needing to complete an isolation period from this date. 

The rapid antigen testing arrangements are also being adjusted. Going forward, travellers are strongly encouraged to continue to undertake a rapid antigen test prior to their travel to the IOT, and again on the third day after arrival. Travellers are required to report any positive test results while on island to the IOT Health Service (CI – 91648333, West Island 9162 6655, Home Island 9162 7609). Travellers will no longer be required to provide evidence of negative tests to the Office of the Administrator. 

With the end to the travel application process, it is critical that travellers do not travel if experiencing symptoms, regardless of test outcomes. 

The states of emergency for CI and CKI remain in place. 

While some requirements are ceasing, mask-wearing will remain in place to better protect our isolated community. Masks are a low-cost, simple and effective way to reduce community transmission risk and keep yourself safe. 

We can expect to see an increase in cases as a result of these changes but the subcommittee is confident such an increase can be managed, based on the response to the recent local wave – if people continue to do the right thing and stay home if unwell. 

The subcommittee will monitor the impacts of the changes. 

It’s also more important than ever, as we continue to adjust to living with COVID now and into the future, that people remain up-to-date with vaccinations. With the 4th booster shot now available to anyone over the age of 30, anyone eligible is strongly encouraged to roll up their sleeves for their own protection and that of the most vulnerable in our community. 

It is critical that each and every one of you continues to practise your personal protective measures like hand hygiene, mask wearing and physical distancing. 

Please remember the risks of COVID-19 to the most vulnerable in our community – the elderly, the immunocompromised, those with chronic illnesses and those unable to be vaccinated – we need to continue to work together to keep everyone safe. 

Anyone who is unwell with symptoms needs to stay home and notify the health service for assessment and further testing with a PCR as required, even if you have returned a negative RAT at home. A single negative RAT does not exclude COVID-19, particularly when you are experiencing symptoms. These include any cold and flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea or loss of taste/smell. 

Local COVID statistics are now issued weekly, consistent with the updates provided in other jurisdictions.  

Close contacts and isolation requirements: 

Close contacts who are asymptomatic will no longer be required to isolate for seven days. They must undertake daily rapid antigen testing for 7 days following their last exposure to a positive case and can continue attending work or school if they return a negative result. Masks must be worn and unnecessary outings or contact with high-risk locations and individuals should be avoided. 

A close contact with any symptoms (including those with a negative RAT) needs to remain at home and contact the IOTHS to arrange PCR testing.  Regardless of the PCR result they need to remain at home until  symptoms pass. 

High risk exposure location announcements have eased, to allow health care workers to focus their efforts on contacting cases and continuing the provision general of health care. This a not an indicator that there is less COVID-19 in the community. The health service will direct people for testing as required. Community members and visitors are asked to continue to self-monitor for symptoms, isolate and test if symptomatic. People are encouraged to maintain adequate stocks of RATs to ensure they are able to safely test if they become a close contact – these are available at numerous retail shops. The pharmacy also has free RATs available to pensioners and health care card holders. Please contact the IOTHS if you do not have access to a RAT.

If you are informed that you are a close contact – by either the health service or a confirmed positive case to whom you have been exposed – you need to follow the new guidelines.   

The guidelines are available online here:

If you’re COVID-19 positive, you still must isolate for a week from the day you tested positive (day 0) and can leave isolation, if you have no symptoms on day 8. Should you have symptoms, you are required to stay in isolation and to contact the IOTHS to advise them. You are not advised to conduct a RAT or PCR testing for COVID clearance. Clearance is based on COVID-19 symptoms being resolved. 

COVID re-infection period now four weeks 

The COVID-19 reinfection period is now four weeks, following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). 

Previously, COVID-19 reinfection cases were defined as occurring more than 12 weeks following recovery from COVID-19. Given the detection and spread of new COVID sub-variants in WA and across Australia, this period has been shortened to only four weeks after recovery, consistent with the national protocols and expert medical advice. 

People are now required to re-test for COVID-19 if they experience symptoms 28 days after they have been cleared of a COVID-19 infection. Positive results will be reported and managed as new cases. 

This means that if you have had COVID-19, you should get tested and isolate if you have symptoms more than four weeks after recovering. 

These updated guidelines also apply to close contacts. This means that you can now be declared a close contact four weeks after recovering. 

If you are a close contact with no symptoms, you will not be required to complete seven days of isolation, provided you meet specific requirements. 

Local winter booster vaccination program: 

A fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all people over the age of 30. 

Winter booster vaccinations are recommended for anyone aged 50 and over. They are also available and encouraged to those aged 30-49 to further maintain their immunity. 

The winter booster dose can be given three months after the person has received their third dose, or three months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection, if the infection has occurred since the person’s third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

This is to optimise vaccine protection. The gap between infection and vaccination is likely to lead to a better immune response and result in longer protection from reinfection. 

The next scheduled dose of COVID-19 vaccine should be given as soon as possible after 3 months. You should still have all the recommended doses for your age and health needs. 

Mask wearing: 

You must wear a mask indoors, on public transport or when physical distancing is not possible outdoors, but remember, if it makes you feel more comfortable, it’s okay to wear a mask any time you’re out in public. Masks play an important role in minimising disease spread. 

People need to continue maintaining physical distancing where possible and good hand hygiene. We thank residents and visitors for their ongoing cooperation .