12 January 2021

IOT COVID-19 subcommittee update

The IOT COVID subcommittee continues to closely monitor the ongoing COVID situation in Western Australia (WA), across the mainland and in the external territory of Norfolk Island. We are considering the case numbers and have been discussing the changing risks.

ADJUSTED OPENING DATE:

In light of the implications of the Omicron outbreak and escalating risks, it has been decided that the scheduled opening up of the IOT will now occur two weeks after the WA borders open. WA’s scheduled opening date is 5 February 2022, which means we are now scheduled to open the IOT borders on 19 February 2022 (originally the IOT was scheduled to open on the same day as WA).

This additional time period will give us time to observe and respond to the changed circumstances of WA opening up, apply any lessons learned and deliver on the COVID booster and child vaccination programs for the IOT.

The IOT COVID subcommittee agreed today that fully vaccinated Western Australian residents can continue to travel to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands prior to IOT border re-opening on 19 February 2022.

While currently scheduled for 19 February, the IOT’s border opening day will be accordingly adjusted if WA’s date is changed.

RESTRICTIONS AND SETTINGS AFTER BORDERS OPEN:

Ahead of the scheduled opening up of the IOT, we have also been considering what restrictions and precautions should be introduced in our communities and venues once borders open, to minimise risk.

We are in discussions with WA authorities on testing regimes and requirements for travellers following borders opening, particularly given the issues with availability of rapid antigen tests and demand on testing clinics in jurisdictions outside of WA. These discussions are ongoing and further information will be provided as decisions are made.

Based on medical advice, all people in the IOT will need to wear face masks indoors or where they cannot physically distance outdoors, from WA’s opening date, which is currently 5 February 2022.

Mask wearing and any other measures determined to be necessary will ensure risks are appropriately managed as travel increases, and the vulnerable best protected, particularly in light of the Omicron variant.

We want the IOT communities to have awareness and understanding of the planned response to our first cases on island and are currently developing fact sheets on the intended approach, to support your planning and preparedness. The approach will reflect the IOT’s high vaccination rates.

These will be distributed as soon as possible.

UPDATED MANDATORY MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR WA TRAVELLERS

Due to ongoing community transmission in WA, with cases from unknown sources under investigation who have been active in the community, all travellers from WA to the IOT from the upcoming Friday flight onwards will now be required to wear masks when indoors or where they cannot physically distance outdoors, until advised differently by the Territory Controller.

Proof of COVID vaccination

People can access their immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations.

The immunisation history statement shows all the vaccinations a person has had that are on the Australian Immunisation Register. You can get a copy of your statement online at any time.

Anyone who has received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia can access their COVID-19 digital certificate. The digital certificate only shows proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, and is available once a vaccination provider reports vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register.

To access proof of COVID-19 vaccinations online and in the Medicare app, people who are eligible for Medicare need to:

create a myGov account and link to Medicare.
have the latest version of the Express Plus Medicare app installed.

People who aren’t eligible for Medicare can view their immunisation history statement or digital certificate through the Individual Healthcare Identifiers Service via myGov. They will first need to:

apply for an Individual Healthcare Identifier through myGov.
link to the Individual Healthcare Identifiers Service in myGov.

People can also save their digital certificate to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay if this option suits them.

Immunisation history statement

Your immunisation history statement shows all vaccinations you’ve had that are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

IOTHS needs to report your COVID-19 vaccination information to the AIR before it will appear on your statement. It can take up to 10 days for your vaccination provider to update the AIR.

If your COVID-19 vaccination information is incorrect you need to ask your vaccination provider – IOTHS – to update the AIR. They can usually correct entries on your record for information that is missing or needs updating including:

number of doses
dates of vaccination
vaccine brand.

If your COVID-19 vaccinations aren’t showing after 10 days, or can’t be updated by the provider, call the AIR on 1800 653 809.

You can get your immunisation history statement using Medicare or the Individual Healthcare Identifier service through myGov. Read more about how to get proof of your vaccination.

If you’ve had mixed doses, you need to use your immunisation history statement as proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.

For further information, see:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/what-proof-you-can-get

If people on CI and CKI are continuing to have issues obtaining proof of vaccination via myGOV, or if the details in myGOV are incorrect, and they require their certification urgently to support travel or other activities, they should contact IOTHS (ioths@infrastructure.gov.au or call the clinics West Island 9162 6655, Home Island 9162 7609, Christmas Island Health Service 9164 8333) and interim proof of vaccination will be provided directly.

Advice for those on CKI who can’t get an SMS code to sign in to myGOV

For those community members on CKI who cannot receive an SMS code to sign into myGov, you are able to use the myGov Code Generator app as an alternative to sign in.

The myGov Code Generator app creates codes. You use these codes, your username and password, to sign in to myGov. Find out more about how to sign in to myGov.

If you set up myGov Code Generator, you’ll need to enter a code from the app to sign into myGov. You'll have to do this each time you sign in to myGov.

You can’t sign in to your myGov account through the myGov Code Generator app. You need to sign in through the myGov website and then use the Code Generator app to verify your sign-in.

You can read more about myGov Code Generator codes on the About myGov page.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/online-help/set-mygov-code-generator-app

The COVID subcommittee - working with local businesses and operators

Throughout the pandemic, the IOT COVID-19 subcommittee including the Territory Controllers have worked closely with agencies, businesses and organisations on island to ensure that appropriate processes and procedures are in place to manage COVID risks and best protect the local communities and operators.

This includes setting requirements for cleaning of locations or vehicles used by those whose movements are restricted due to the nature of their travel. These requirements are long-standing.

It is expected and required that local operators follow these COVID-safe requirements and make any necessary adjustments to their own commercial operations or arrangements, to ensure they are meeting the directions and keeping everyone safe.

If, as part of our COVID management responsibilities, the subcommittee makes significant decisions or adjustments which would broadly affect local businesses, organisations and community members, we will always inform you of such changes through our established channels, including these updates and the Administrator official Facebook page.

The COVID-19 subcommittee will continue to make decisions for the safety and protection of IOT residents.

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.