To stay up to date with COVID-19 information for Norfolk Island, visit this page regularly and/or follow the Emergency Management Norfolk Island Facebook page.
State of Emergency
Due to the threat posed by COVID-19, a State of Emergency remains in force on Norfolk Island until 31 December 2021, or until revoked.
The Norfolk Island COVID-19 Recovery Operations Plan will remain in place during the state of emergency.
Travelling to Norfolk Island
All visitors and travellers to Norfolk Island MUST apply for a NORFOLK ISLAND TRAVEL PASS.
You will find more information about travelling and applying for the Travel Pass here.
UPDATED - THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Extension of the State of Emergency (Recovery) and accompanying Directions.
The current State of Emergency for recovery operations has been extended by the Administrator until the end of the year. The extension is to allow for the opening of the island to a world living with COVID-19 in a way that keeps the community safe and minimises the potential for spread of the virus in the community. Accompanying the Administrator’s declaration are directions to manage the recovery process. In the new directions is a requirement for businesses to have and to operate under an approved COVID safe plan. These plans must be appropriate for your type of business and those approved under New South Wales or Queensland Government systems can be used. If you require a one-off COVID safe plan for an event or function these need to be submitted to the Incident Controller for approval. Further directions could be required once we reopen to areas with COVID-19 circulating in their communities.
Review of current restrictions applying to NSW, ACT and Victoria
EMT has met today and decided that the current restriction associated with visitors from NSW, ACT and Victoria will remain until the 14th of October. It is expected that by then the island’s vaccinated population will have reached maximum immunity. During this time only returning residents and essential workers from these areas will be allowed to come to the island and they will be required to self-isolate at their home or accommodation until released by NIHRACS.
EMT will meet again on the 7th of October by which time further information is expected to be available regarding other jurisdictions requirements for travel in a living with COVID environment. EMT will consider this information and provide the community and businesses with the local requirements to opening to these areas.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Detective Sergeant Glenn Elder, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
23 September 2021
EMT
UPDATED - THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Review of travel requirements to the Island.
EMT met this morning (Thursday 16 September) and reviewed the current travel requirements to the island.
Norfolk Island is currently open to travellers from Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory without restriction. It is recommended that travellers to the island from these areas use the Brisbane gateway.
Returning residents and essential workers are allowed to travel to the island from New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT however, they are required to undergo self-isolation on island until released by NIHRACS.
With the reopening of the Border Zone bubble between New South Wales and Queensland, returning residents and essential workers can travel by private vehicle from the border zone LGAs to Brisbane airport for flights to the island. Travel must be by private transport. Private transport is either a private vehicle (either your personal vehicle or a hire car) or a taxi with a protective shield between the driver and passenger or a taxi van that allows for physical distancing between the driver and the passengers. Only if these options are unavailable, you may travel in the back seat on the passenger side of a taxi or rideshare with a mask. You must also comply with all the Queensland Government requirements and for more information please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Detective Sergeant Glenn Elder, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
16 September 2021
EMT
UPDATED - THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Local vaccination levels and travel requirements to the island.
The vaccination uptake on the island has been impressive and today is the last day to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Thank you everyone who has taken the opportunity to be vaccinated. By September 30th more than 80% of the island’s population will be fully vaccinated. This means that by mid-October those vaccinated should have maximised their immune response. Until then it has been decided that the island will maintain the current travel requirements associated with travel to the island from NSW the ACT and Victoria. This means that visitors to the island from these locations will not be allowed and only returning residents and essential workers will be permitted and must undergo self-isolation on the island until released by NIHRACS.
The changing situation in NSW, ACT and Victoria associated with plans to live with COVID is being monitored by EMT. In the interim our policy is to protect the local community and maintain the existing market for visitors from Queensland. EMT is consulting with health authorities to update our response plans associated with living with COVID-19 in a post-vaccination environment.
Customer registers are more important than ever.
With the current levels of community transmission on the mainland there is an increased risk that the virus will be carried to the island. When this happens, the Entry Pass system and local customer registers will be called upon to contact trace any confirmed cases. Therefore, it is more important than ever that you complete these registers and use hand sanitizer.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Detective Sergeant Glenn Elder, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
9 September 2021
EMT
UPDATED - THURSDAY 26 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Review of travel restrictions to the island and local requirements.
With the current outbreak on the mainland EMT reviewed the current restrictions on travel to the island on Thursday. With lockdowns remaining in place in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory visitors from these states and territories will not be allowed until the lockdowns are lifted. When lifted EMT will consider local travel restrictions according to the risk to the community from each area.
Unrestricted travel remains for visitors to the island from the other states and territories. It is however recommended that visitors to the island use the Brisbane gateway to travel to the island.
Returning residents and essential workers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT remain allowed to travel to the island. They must self-isolate at home or at their accommodation upon arrival and vaccinated returnees will be tested on day 13 of the self-isolation and not released until approved by NIHRACS. It is very important that travellers who are required to self-isolate organise a vehicle to be left at the airport for them to drive to their accommodation. They must also wear masks throughout the airport and until they reach their vehicle. Once in self-isolation all goods and services must be brought to them, and they must have no physical contact with the rest of the community.
Vaccination roll-out -register now!
Vaccination is the best thing we can do to protect the island community. If you are a resident over the age of 12 years and intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 do not delay in registering with NIHRACS on 22091. If you register now, you can be assured of getting two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. This means you will be fully vaccinated before the end of September. It is likely that unless you take this opportunity to be vaccinated you will be unable to be vaccinated on the island until June next year.
EMT is aware that some jurisdictions and organisations are introducing policies requiring proof of vaccination. Even if the island remains COVID free and you are unvaccinated and denied service or entry to places with these policies it is unlikely that EMNI will be able to assist you, therefore please take the opportunity to be vaccinated now.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
26 August 2021
EMT
UPDATED - TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Travel restrictions during lockdowns in NSW, Victoria, and the ACT.
All New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory are currently in lockdown. These lockdowns are expected to remain until 2 September 2021 at the earliest.
The lockdowns do not allow people from these areas to travel therefore visitors from these areas are not permitted to travel to the island under the restrictions in force where they live.
Travel from these areas to the island is only permitted for returning residents and essential workers. In both cases they will be required to undergo local self-isolation, along with any other NIHRACS requirements until released.
For residents who are currently on the mainland, if you have been in any public exposure site and are subject to quarantine requirements in the jurisdiction of the exposure site you must follow these and are not permitted to return to the island until approved to do so by the jurisdiction applying the restriction.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
23 August 2021
George Plant
Controller
EMNI
UPDATED - THURSDAY 12 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Lifting of travel restrictions to the island from Regional Victoria, Cairns regional and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council areas. Travel restrictions from Australian Capital Territory to the island introduced. New South Wales travel restrictions remain.
The Victorian Government has eased the travel restriction on people from regional Victoria. They can now leave their home for any reason. From today travellers from regional Victoria will not have to undergo self-isolation on the island. Please note however that the Victorian Government currently has the island listed as an orange zone. Therefore, travellers from the island returning to Victoria are required to isolate on arrival, get tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of arriving and stay isolated until they receive a negative result. Representations are on-going with the Victorian Government to obtain a review of the island’s orange zone status.
The three-day snap lockdown placed by the Queensland Government on Cairns regional and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council areas has not been extended. Therefore, travellers from all of Queensland can now come to the island without having to undergo self-isolation on arrival.
This afternoon the ACT Government has introduced a seven-day lockdown from 5pm AEST 12 August. Visitors from the ACT will not be able to travel to the island during the lockdown period. Returning residents and essential workers travelling to the island from the ACT will have to undergo self-isolation at home or in their accommodation until released by NIHRACS or the Incident Controller.
Anyone who is currently on the island and has been in the ACT since August 8 is required to contact NIHRACS and get tested. They must immediately self-isolate at home or in their accommodation for the period of the ACT lockdown or until released by NIHRACS or the Incident Controller.
The travel restriction for visitors to the island from all of NSW remains, due to the continuing number of cases and seeding outside of the Greater Sydney area. Returning residents and essential workers coming to the island from NSW will have to undergo 14 days self-isolation on the island or as directed by NIHRACS. The situation in respect to travel from regional NSW will be considered further next week.
Transit hotels in Sydney and Brisbane airports
Hotels in the Sydney and Brisbane airport precincts that are available for transit purposes and have availability is changing daily. The Incident Controller is therefore no longer maintaining an approved list of hotels. Travellers that are transiting through these airports to the island are required to stay at hotels within or close to the airport precinct and it is at the discretion of the Incident Controller to approve the transit accommodation of transiting passengers.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
12 August 2021
EMT
UPDATED - MONDAY 9 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Removal of lockdown in Southeast Queensland and snap lockdown for Cairns regional and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council areas.
The Queensland Government has lifted the lockdown for the 11 LGA’s of Southeast Queensland from 4pm Sunday 8 August (AEST). This means that visitors, returning residents and essential workers from these areas may travel to the island without having to undergo self-isolation on arrival.
A snap lockdown for the Cairns regional council and Yarrabah ASC areas has been introduced from 4pm Sunday 8 August until 4pm Wednesday 11 August 2021 (AEST). Visitors from these areas will not be able to travel to the island for the duration of the lockdown. Returning residents and essential workers who have been in the lockdown area since 8 August will be required to undergo local self-isolation for the duration of the lockdown period.
It is very important that if you have recently travelled from Queensland to the island you check the Queensland website Contact tracing (exposure sites) — coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) for daily updates of close and casual contact exposure sites. If you have returned to the island and have been in any of the emerging sites, please self-isolate and contact NIHRACS immediately.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
0930, 9 August 2021
George Plant
Emergency Controller
UPDATED - THURSDAY 5 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE (No. 2)
Update snap Victorian lockdown, imposition of self-isolation requirements for returning residents and essential workers.
This afternoon the Victorian Government has introduced a snap lockdown for the entire state for seven days from 8pm AEST tonight (August 5). This means that visitors from Victoria will not be permitted to travel to the island during the lockdown period. This includes anyone who has been in Victoria from today (August 5).
For immediate effect any residents returning to the island or essential workers from Victoria travelling to the island will have to undergo self-isolation at home or in their accommodation for the duration of the Victorian lockdown or until released by the Incident Controller or NIHRACS.
It is important that if you have any symptoms associated with COVID that you contact NIHRACS for advice.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222. Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
20:00, 8 August 2021
George Plant
Emergency Controller
MEDIA RELEASE
Removal of travel restriction for visitors from Victoria and South Australia and retention of restriction for all NSW. South-East Queensland lockdown self-isolation requirements remain until Sunday 8 August.
EMT met this morning and agreed to remove the restriction on visitors to the island from Victoria and South Australia as the risk from these areas is now regarded as low. The removal of the restriction applies from today 5 August. The travel restriction remains in place for all of NSW however EMT will review the restriction for the areas of NSW not subject to stay-at-home orders next week. Only returning residents and essential workers from NSW will be allowed to enter the island. Returning residents from NSW must undergo self-isolation for 14 days and essential workers must have a COVID safe workplan approved by the Incident Controller to undertake activities on the island.
The Queensland Government has extended the SE Queensland lockdown for 11 LGA’s until 4:00pm Sunday 8 August (AEST). The requirement for returning residents and essential workers to self-isolate remains in place until 4:00pm August 8 (Norfolk Island time). If the Queensland Government extends the lockdown requirement the local requirement to self-isolate will also be extended. Returning residents and any essential workers who have been in the lockdown LGA’s from 31 July that travel to the island will be required to self-isolate at their home or in their accommodation until advised by the Incident Controller or NIHRACS
Anyone on the island who has recently returned from Queensland is advised to monitor the website https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing to ensure that they have not been to any of the sites. If you, have you must immediately self-isolate at home or in your accommodation and contact NIHRACS.
Transit requirements through Sydney and Brisbane airports
If you are transiting through Sydney or Brisbane airports on your way to the island from an area in which travel restrictions do not apply, you will not have to undergo local self-isolation providing: -
- you have driven to the Airport, you have done so directly from your home without stopping in any of the regions in which the travel restriction applies.
- you have flown from interstate and have had to travel to the international terminal you have done so by the airport train, bus or taxi and have adhered to the requirement for wearing masks whilst in the vehicle.
- if you have had to overnight to connect to your Norfolk Island flight you have overnighted at one of the hotels in the airport precinct, have only been in contact with hotel or airport personnel and have been in transit for less than 24 hours. The Incident Controller can be contacted for a current list of hotels approved for transit accommodation in the airport precincts of Sydney and Brisbane.
Maintenance of social distancing especially when providing provisions to those in local self-isolation.
If you have recently returned from the mainland, you should be particularly vigilant in observing social distancing and undertake a daily check of any emerging exposure sites in the mainland state or territory that you have visited.
If you are providing provisions to people who are in local self-isolation it is particularly important that you follow good social distancing requirements. You must not enter the dwelling or accommodation and any provisions must be left outside for the people in self-isolation to collect. You should also minimise the time you are present at the self-isolation site and keep at least 2m from the people self-isolating.
It is important that if you have any symptoms associated with COVID that you contact NIHRACS for advice.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Senior Constable Bradley Pumphery, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
UPDATED - TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
(Update) Extension of the snap lockdown in Southeast Queensland and returning resident and essential worker requirements.
With the Queensland Government extending the lockdown requirement for the 11 Local Government Areas (LGA’s) until Sunday 8 August the requirement for returning residents and essential workers to self-isolate is also extended.
Returning residents and any essential workers who have been in the lockdown LGA’s from 31 July that travel to the island will be required to self-isolate at their home or in their accommodation until 4pm Sunday August 8 (Norfolk Island time) or as advised by the Incident Controller or NIHRACS.
Anyone on the island who has recently returned from Queensland is advised to monitor the website https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing to ensure that they have not been to any of the sites. If you, have you must immediately self-isolate at home or in your accommodation and contact NIHRACS.
It is important that if you have any symptoms associated with COVID that you contact NIHRACS for advice.
For any questions about the COVID-19 response on Norfolk Island, please visit the Norfolk Island Regional Council website: http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island in the first instance or contact Sergeant Glenn Elder, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island [at] afp.gov.au or +6723 22222.Alternatively, you may contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.
Please read more information here.
Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Norfolk Island
The Emergency Management Team (EMT) and Incident Management Team (IMT) were established by the Emergency Management Committee (EMNIC) to manage the State of Emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. They were established under the island’s disaster management plan (NORDISPLAN).
The EMT is chaired by the Emergency Controller and is responsible for strategic operational decisions. It has appointed representatives who provide advice from NIHRACS, business, welfare, the community, NIRC and the Office of the Administrator. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC) is an observer.
The IMT is responsible for operational management of the pandemic and is led by the Incident Controller who for the pandemic is the OIC of Police. It is set up in functional areas covering medical (NIHRACS), welfare, planning & logistics, and operations.
Contacts
Health enquiries: Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service (NIHRACS) +6723 22091
