EMNI - 3 March 2022

From 6pm tomorrow, Friday 4 March 2022, the following restrictions will change:

• The requirement for customer/visitor registration at commercial premises is removed

• The density limits permitted inside commercial premises is removed

• The requirement to wear a facial mask when indoors at most locations has been removed, this includes inside workplaces, bars, cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets.

• The limit of 150 people or less at gatherings is removed.

The above changes will bring Norfolk Islands management of COVID closer to alignment with Queensland and other states and territories.

The following restrictions will remain in place:

• The requirement to obtain an Entry Permit when travelling to the island and having either a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival or a negative RAT within 48 hours of arrival and a further negative RAT in the 24 hours after arrival.

• The requirement to wear a facial mask at the NIHRACS Facility, Residential Aged Care, Disability Accommodation, airport, planes and on public transport (such as tourist buses).

Information about the requirements for travel to Norfolk Island is available on the Council’s website at link http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk.... All travel related enquiries are to be directed to the Incident Controller. Key points of contact are detailed at the end of this media release.

Whilst the EMT has lifted some mandated requirements related to the management of COVID on the island, members of the community are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their health. COVID remains a potentially serious disease with poor outcomes for some people. As an individual and/or business owner you are free to make your own decisions regarding facial mask and hygiene requirements for entrance to your premises. If you are immune system compromised, unvaccinated or considered high risk, your personal safety plan should take precedence. For example, if you feel more comfortable wearing a facial mask in public spaces, you are free to do so; however, this will no longer be a mandated requirement for the community.

Updated case numbers as of 3 March 2022

The statistics below are as at midnight on Wednesday 2 March 2022.

COVID Statistics Number

Positive RAT tests (previous 24hrs) 0

Number of RAT tests conducted (previous 24hrs) 2

Daily average of positive tests (7days) 1.1

Current number of Active cases 10

Close contacts and positive cases in isolation 15

Recovered (discharged) cases (Previous 24hrs) 4

Cumulative Statistic Number

Total number of positive (including recovered) 123

Total number of tests conducted 1034

Recovered (discharged) cases 113

In addition to the statistics tables above the NIHRACs has had 15 hospitalisations since December 30, 2021 and two (2) recent emergency airflight retrievals to the Royal Brisbane Hospital due to COVID.

Key points of contact

Welfare: Hayley Evans, email hayley.evans@nirc.gov.nf, phone- +672 3 52777

Incident Controller: Sergeant Mark Watson, email IO-Norfolk-Island@afp.gov.au, phone +672 3 22222

NIHRACS: Phone +672 3 22091 for all health-related enquiries

NIRC Website: www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-advice-norfolk-island

EMNI Facebook: @emergencymanagementnorfolkisland

15:45

3 March 2022

EMT