Northern Beaches COVID-19 outbreak prompts states and territories to tighten border restrictions

A COVID-19 outbreak on Sydney’s Northern Beaches that is quickly getting out of control has kicked states and territories into action to prevent the virus from spreading outside NSW.

With the COVID cluster currently at 28, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged people in Greater Sydney to reconsider “non-essential” movement, and has told Northern Beaches residents to stay at home unless it’s “absolutely necessary” for them to travel elsewhere.

As a result, all of the states and territories have issued updates on what this means for interstate visitors and returning travellers.

Queensland

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said in a statement yesterday that anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since 11 December 2020 and is already in Queensland should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.

Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney now must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.

Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region on or since 11 December 2020 and arrives in Queensland on a flight from Sydney after 1am on 19 December 2020 must go into hotel quarantine at their own expense for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches and get tested.

This includes both interstate visitors and Queensland residents returning home.

Western Australia

Based on the health advice, the Western Australian government has moved NSW from a ‘very low risk’ state to a ‘low risk’ state.

This means that anyone arriving from NSW will now be required to self-quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days. These arrivals will also be required to be tested for COVID-19 on day 11.

Anyone who has arrived from NSW from 11 December or was in NSW from 11 December and subsequently arrived in WA before 12.01am today will be required to follow updated arrangements.

These include the requirement to self-quarantine in a suitable premise as soon as possible, to present for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible, to return to self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed, and to undertake a further test on day 11 after arrival in WA.

Victoria

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement this morning that anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region or other NSW exposure sites on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and is already in Victoria should get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches.

“Anyone who was in the Northern Beaches region or other NSW exposure sites on or since Friday 11 December 2020 and arrives in Victoria after midnight Thursday 17 December 2020 must get tested and quarantine in their home or accommodation for 14 days from the date they left the Northern Beaches,” the statement read.

“The Victorian government will announce further advice for travellers arriving into Victoria from the Northern beaches or other NSW exposure sites after midnight Saturday 19 December 2020 later today.”

South Australia

The SA Health website says anyone who has visited the locations on the date and time listed on the NSW Health website under the ‘Self-isolate and get tested’ heading must self-quarantine immediately for 14 days (commencing on the last day they were present at the site).

“Anyone who visited these locations must get a COVID-19 test immediately and again on day 12 of the self-quarantine. Some people may be asked to have additional tests,” the website states.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s Deputy Director of Public Health Services, Scott McKeon, said the state is now categorising the Northern Beaches LGA and several other locations in Sydney as ‘high risk’

McKeon said people who have been at the Northern Beaches LGA or at any of the other high-risk areas during the specified times and are currently in Tasmania should self-isolate and contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange a test.

“People wishing to travel to Tasmania who have been at these areas during the specified times will not be permitted to travel unless approved by the Deputy State Controller,” he said.

“For all travellers from NSW who are yet to arrive in Tasmania, your Tas e-Travel pass will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to confirm you have not visited any high-risk locations.

“If you are affected, please check the latest advice on the Tasmanian coronavirus website.

“The public health assessment is that NSW outside of these high-risk areas remains low risk. However, Public Health will closely monitor the situation and respond accordingly.”

ACT

All Canberrans are advised not to travel to the Northern Beaches area of Sydney at this time.

Any Canberrans who have been in the Northern Beaches area from Friday 11 December 2020 have been ordered immediately self-quarantine and get tested.

In addition, anyone who has been in an affected location identified by NSW Health should contact the ACT Communicable Disease Control team for further advice.

Featured image source: ABC News