EMNI - 16 December 2021

Requirements for unvaccinated travellers to the island

EMT considered the policy associated with unvaccinated travellers to the island. With the states and territories on the mainland reopening unvaccinated travellers to Norfolk Island still represent the greatest risk for COVID 19 transmission or developing clinically severe disease.

The policy associated with all travellers who are not fully vaccinated with two doses of an approved vaccine is as follows: -

• They are required to have a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to arrival on the island, regardless of where they are coming from. Children under 12 years are not required to have a PCR test.

• They are required to undergo 7 days self-isolation on the island at their home or accommodation on arrival to NI.

• They are required to be COVID PCR tested on the 7th day by NIHRACS and providing the test is negative will be released by the Police. (Depending on pathology lab capacity this test result may take up to 3 days to be available).

• Children under 12 years old will follow the vaccination status of their parents or guardians that they are travelling with. Children over the age of 12 will be treated as adults, requiring vaccination status declaration and PCR testing prior to arrival on NI.

Requirements for returning residents from overseas, proposed PCR testing for travellers from all states and territories and proposed extension of the State of Emergency (Recovery)

EMT considered the current requirement for travellers who have been overseas. With the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant, it is expected by Qld Public health departments and the Norfolk Island Chief Health Officer that community transmission will be taking place within Qld within the coming days and therefore the requirement for COVID PCR tests will be extended to all travellers to Norfolk Island. COVID PCR testing for travellers from all States and Territories of Australia prior to arrival on Norfolk Island will be required as of Monday 20/12/21. Children under 12 years are not required to have a PCR test.

EMNIC has been requested to seek an extension of the current State of Emergency (Recovery) until the end of March 2022. The extension is to provide further time to introduce public health legislation and orders for the management of COVID-19 in the longer term.

Summary of Norfolk Island’s COVID normal requirements

Below are the updated COVID normal requirements for the island.

Norfolk Island COVID Normal requirements (As of 16 December 2021)

Travel to the Island

• All travellers to the island require an Entry Pass

• Travellers to the island from states and territories with ongoing community transmission are required to have a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to arrival. This currently applies to NSW, Victoria, and the ACT. PCR tests are not required from Queensland, Tasmania, WA, regional SA or the NT this week. As of Monday 20th December COVID PCR testing will be required for all travellers from all states of Australia.

• PCR testing for pre-departure from Norfolk Island is not currently available, unless for urgent medical reasons, such as hospital admission/transfer of care.

• PCR tests accepted are

o PCR test taken in a laboratory or Government run Testing station. Please check your state health website for locations in your area.

o Text message result for a PCR test is accepted, provided it has: Date, Name, Result.

• Children under 12 do not need to be vaccinated as per National vaccination policy.

• Unvaccinated children, take on the vaccine status of the responsible parent/adult they are travelling with in terms of requirements to isolate.

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are required to self-isolate at their home or accommodation for 7 days and return a negative PCR test on the 7th day before being released by the Police.

• Travellers who have been overseas (unless a quarantine free bubble exists) must spend 14 days on the mainland before traveling to the island and return a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival on Norfolk Island, as do all travellers to NI.

Businesses and Premises

• Customers and visitors to premises are required to have customer registers (QR codes/paper based) and maintain this information for 3 months.

• Businesses on the island are required to have a COVID safe plan and operate according to the plan.

• Are required to encourage social distancing and maintain a density limit of 1 person/2 sqm indoors to a limit of 100 persons.

Public gatherings

• There is no restriction on Sport and Recreation, Weddings and Funerals and Religious services

• Density limits of 1 person /2 sqm apply indoors.

• Gatherings over 100 persons require an approved COVID safe plan by the Incident Controller.

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... in the first instance or contact Sergeant Mark Watson, IMT Incident Controller at IO-Norfolk-Island@afp.gov.au or +6723 22222. Alternatively, could you contact the Welfare Co-ordinator on 52777.

16 December 2021

EMT